Congratulations to Max Hawkins on achieving the rank of Star Scout, and to Ethan Scott on achieving the rank of Life Scout! These young men have demonstrated dedication and perseverance in their Scouting journeys, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments.
Star Scout
The Star Scout rank is the fifth rank in the Scouts BSA program. To achieve this rank, a Scout must:
Be active in their troop and patrol for at least three months as a First Class Scout.
Demonstrate Scout spirit by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
Earn a total of six merit badges, including any four from a list of ten Eagle-required merit badges.
Serve in a position of responsibility within their troop.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Complete a board of review.
Max has shown exemplary leadership and commitment to Scouting, and we are excited to see what he accomplishes next.
Life Scout
The Life Scout rank is the sixth rank in the Scouts BSA program and the second highest rank achievable before Eagle Scout. To achieve this rank, a Scout must:
Be active in their troop and patrol for at least six months as a Star Scout.
Demonstrate Scout spirit by living by the Scout Oath and Law.
Earn a total of 11 merit badges, including any three more from a list of ten Eagle-required merit badges.
Serve in a position of responsibility within their troop.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Complete a board of review.
Ethan has consistently shown himself to be a responsible and dedicated Scout, and we are confident that he will continue to excel in his Scouting career.
Congratulations, Max and Ethan!
We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and look forward to seeing you continue to grow and develop as Scouts. Your hard work and dedication are an inspiration to us all.
Troop 63 recently held its first Court of Honor, a special ceremony where Scouts are recognized for their achievements in Scouting. It’s a time to celebrate hard work, dedication, and progress! During the Court of Honor, Scouts receive rank advancements, merit badges, and other special awards.
Rank Advancements
Ethan Scott: Achieved the Star Scout rank, a significant step towards Eagle Scout. This rank requires leadership, service, and outdoor skills.
Owen West: Earned the Scout rank, marking the beginning of his journey in Scouting and showing his commitment to the Scout Oath and Law.
Merit Badges Awarded
Beckett Shaw: First Aid
Ethan Scott: Citizenship in Society, Communication, Cycling, Forestry, Search and Rescue
Luke Johnson: Cycling, Farm Mechanics, Fire Safety, Personal Fitness
Owen West: Cycling, Farm Mechanics, Fire Safety, Search and Rescue
Special Awards
Sam Miller: Received the Den Chief Award Cord, recognizing his leadership and service in guiding younger Cub Scouts.
Owen West: Earned the Totin’ Chip Emblem, demonstrating his safe and responsible use of bladed tools.
A Generous Gift from the Kiwanis Club of Paris
Troop 63 was honored to receive a generous gift of $500 from the Kiwanis Club of Paris, presented by Pat Lairson Phipps. This incredible support will be instrumental in helping Troop 63 grow and thrive, providing valuable resources for future adventures and activities. The troop expresses its sincere gratitude to the Kiwanis Club for their commitment to Scouting and their investment in the young people of our community.
Food, Fellowship, and Fun!
Following the ceremony, Scouts, parents, and attendees enjoyed delicious food and fantastic fellowship. Everyone had a great time sharing stories and discussing all the adventures that led to this special Court of Honor. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Scouts’ achievements and strengthen the bonds within the Troop 63 family.
Congratulations to all the Scouts of Troop 63 on their accomplishments! This Court of Honor was a fantastic way to celebrate their dedication and progress. We look forward to seeing what they achieve in the future!
Troop 63 faced a true test of their Scout spirit at the Crossroads of America Council Monon District Fall Camporee in Bloomington, Indiana! From Friday, October 18th to Sunday, October 20th, Luke Johnson, Owen West, Ethan Scott, and Sam Miller tackled Search and Rescue training while enduring some chilly Indiana nights. The days were beautiful, with temperatures in the 70s, but as soon as the sun went down, the mercury plummeted to a frosty 37°F! 🥶
But did that stop our Scouts? Absolutely not! They bundled up in their warmest layers and showed those chilly temps who was boss. 💪 And in the end, they emerged victorious, earning their Search and Rescue merit badge!
Here’s how they conquered the challenge:
Requirement 1: Be Prepared for Anything!
This means understanding the hazards you might face during search and rescue, and boy, did they experience that firsthand! From chilly weather to difficult terrain and the potential for wild animal encounters, our Scouts learned how to prevent problems, stay safe, and handle emergencies like snakebites, dehydration, and shock.
Requirement 2: Don’t Get Lost Yourself!
This requirement focused on wilderness survival skills. The Scouts learned how to use a map and compass, signal for help, find and purify water, and build a survival shelter (which probably came in handy during those cold nights!). They also practiced essential skills like fire building and first aid.
Requirement 3: Gear Up!
Our Scouts had to learn about the essential equipment used in search and rescue, from basic first aid kits and signaling devices to specialized gear like GPS units, radios, and even search dog equipment. They learned how to pack and maintain their gear for any situation, including cold weather!
Requirement 4: Know Your Knots!
Knot-tying is crucial for search and rescue! The Scouts demonstrated their ability to tie knots like the square knot, bowline, clove hitch, and timber hitch, which are used for everything from securing ropes to building shelters.
Requirement 5: Incident Command System
Our Scouts got an introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS), which is used to manage emergencies effectively. They learned about the different roles and responsibilities within ICS and how it helps organize search and rescue efforts.
Requirement 6: Search and Rescue Teams
The Scouts explored the different types of search and rescue teams, like ground searchers, canine units, mounted searchers, and even dive teams. They learned about the unique skills and equipment each team uses.
Requirement 7: Wilderness, Urban, and Water Rescue
Search and rescue can happen anywhere! Our Scouts learned about the differences between searching for someone lost in the wilderness, a city, or a body of water. Each environment presents unique challenges and requires specific techniques.
Requirement 8: Plan a Search!
This involved putting their knowledge to the test! The Scouts worked through a hypothetical search and rescue scenario, creating an Incident Action Plan and discussing how factors like the missing person’s age and behavior would affect their search strategy.
Requirement 9: Hasty Search
Our Scouts planned and carried out a practice search, putting their clue awareness, evidence preservation, and tracking skills to the test. They learned how to conduct a “hasty search,” which is a rapid initial search for a missing person.
Requirement 10: Career Opportunities
Finally, the Scouts explored different career paths in search and rescue, learning about the education, training, and experience needed to become a professional or volunteer in this field.
We learned from the best, with demonstrations from:
Rescue helicopters 🚁
Search canines 🐕
Search drones 🛰️
The National Guard
And even with the cold nights, our Scouts had a blast at the National Jamboree-style camp bash Saturday night! 🎶🎉
To top it all off, Troop 63 ended their adventure Sunday morning with a hearty, hot breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Nothing like some pancakes and bacon after a weekend of camping and conquering challenges! 🥞🥓
We were also super impressed with the Ransburg Scout Reservation! Their facilities were top-notch – everything was updated and clean, and the Scout grounds were amazing. It was the perfect setting for a weekend of adventure!
A big shout-out to Troop 109, Troop 1090, and Crew 1109 of Fishers, Indiana for putting on such a memorable event!
This past weekend, Troop 63 embarked on a grueling 22-mile cycling adventure to earn their cycling merit badge! Scouts Luke Johnson, Owen West, Sam Miller, Ethan Scott, and Max Hawkins took on the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail, a 9-mile path that follows the historic route of a 19th-century railway. To reach their goal, they extended their ride beyond the main trail to explore additional paths and rack up those miles!
This trail isn’t just a flat, easy ride though. It features some challenging hills and a gravel surface that requires focus and skill to navigate. Our scouts were up for the challenge, with most of them conquering the full 22 miles!
Unfortunately, Sam Miller had a bit of a wipeout during the first leg that slowed him down. We’re happy to report that he’s okay, just a little scraped up. It’s a good reminder that safety always comes first, and even experienced cyclists can encounter unexpected obstacles. But, showing true Scout spirit, Sam was back on the trail later that day to finish the remaining miles with his fellow scouts! Way to go, Sam!
The Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail is a beautiful ride, offering scenic views and glimpses into the area’s rich history. Along the way, the scouts encountered historic sites, interpretive waysides, and even some scenic overlooks. It’s a great way to experience the natural beauty of Mammoth Cave National Park while getting some exercise and working towards a merit badge!
“Ok, so it was smooth in some parts, it’s up and down combinations of both, not too much up and not too much down.” – Max Hawkins, perfectly describing the varied terrain of the trail.
Congratulations to all the scouts who participated in this challenging and rewarding adventure! We’re proud of your perseverance and dedication.
In addition to working on their cycling merit badge, Sam and Max also took some time to work on their cooking merit badge. They stopped along the trail and prepared a delicious pot of soup over a small campfire.
This was a great way for them to practice their cooking skills and learn more about how to prepare meals on the go. They were able to use the natural resources of the trail to gather ingredients, and they enjoyed a hot and satisfying meal after their long ride.
This experience was a valuable one for Sam and Max, and it helped them to earn their cooking merit badge. For Luke, this challenging ride marked the completion of his final requirement for the prestigious Eagle Scout rank! Congratulations, Luke!
Samuel Miller, a member of Troop 63 in Paris, Kentucky, recently traveled to Florida to participate in a unique opportunity to earn the Nuclear Science merit badge. The workshop, hosted by the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) Radiochemistry Laboratory, provided scouts with hands-on experience in the field of nuclear science. This marked the fifth time AFTAC has hosted this event to help scouts explore the field of nuclear science.
The day-long event, held on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at AFTAC, Bldg 10989, Patrick SFB, was open to scouts. Miller was the only scout from outside of Florida to attend.
During the workshop, Miller and 90 other scouts learned about radiation, nuclear fission, and safety from top AFTAC scientists and engineers. They also had the opportunity to build their own cloud chamber to “see” radioactive particles and use instruments to measure radiation.
To earn the merit badge, Miller also had to complete other requirements, such as:
Explain the difference between radiation exposure and contamination.
Describe the hazards of radiation to humans, the environment, and wildlife.
Calculate his approximate annual radiation dose and compare it to that of someone who works in a nuclear power plant.
Explain the meaning of terms such as atom, nucleus, proton, neutron, electron, quark, isotope, alpha particle, beta particle, gamma ray, X-ray, ionization, radioactivity, radioisotope, and stability.
Construct 3-D models for the atoms of three isotopes of an element, showing neutrons, protons, and electrons.
Build an electroscope and show how it works.
Perform an experiment demonstrating half-life.
Discuss decay chains.
Using a radiation survey meter and a radioactive source, show how the counts per minute change as the source gets closer to or farther from the radiation detector.
Explain how time, distance, and shielding can reduce an individual’s radiation dose.
Make a drawing showing how nuclear fission happens.
Explain how a chain reaction could be started and stopped in a nuclear reactor.
Give an example of how energy from an atom can be used in nuclear medicine, environmental applications, industrial applications, space exploration, and radiation therapy.
Miller said that he was excited to learn about nuclear science and that the workshop was a great experience. He also said that he was proud to be the only scout from outside of Florida to attend.
The Nuclear Science merit badge is one of the more difficult merit badges to earn, but Miller’s hard work and dedication paid off. He is now one of the few scouts in the country to have earned this prestigious award.
Miller’s accomplishment is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It is also a reminder that there are many opportunities available to scouts who are willing to put in the effort.
Troop 63 would like to remind all scouts to look for outstanding opportunities for merit badges and events. An excellent resource is the Scouts BSA Merit Badge Opportunities group on Facebook.
Despite the rain from Hurricane Helena, our Yard Sale Fundraiser today was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who braved the weather and came out to support Troop 63. We raised over $400 that will directly benefit our Scouts!
These funds will help cover the cost of Scouting activities, like:
Summer Camp: A week of fun and adventure costs about $450 per Scout.
Gear: Backpacks, tents, hiking boots, and other essential equipment can be expensive.
Leadership Training: We believe in investing in our Scouts’ future by providing them with opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
But wait, there’s more!
Due to the rain, we’ve decided to hold another Yard Sale next Saturday, October 5th, from 8 AM to 1 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. We’ll have even more items for sale, so be sure to stop by!
Bargain hunters and supporters of local youth, mark your calendars! Troop 63 is hosting a Yard Sale Fundraiser this Saturday, September 28th, from 8 AM to 1 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Paris, KY.
We’ll have a fantastic selection of items up for grabs, including furniture, clothing, household goods, and much more!
Every dollar raised goes directly towards supporting the scouts of Troop 63 and their activities. These funds help cover the costs of camping trips, leadership training, community service projects, and other valuable experiences that shape these young individuals into responsible and capable leaders.
So come on out, find some treasures, and help support the next generation of leaders in our community!
In the heart of Bourbon County, a young man is taking proactive steps to make his community safer. On June 6th, Luke Johnson, a Life Scout from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Troop 63 and a Junior Firefighter with the Paris Fire Department, received approval from The Boy Scout Council for his Eagle Project focused on fire safety and preparedness.
Driven by his experiences as a Junior Firefighter and his dedication as a Life Scout, Luke has set an ambitious goal: to install 75 smoke detectors and fire extinguishers into homes in need throughout Bourbon County. Recognizing the critical role these tools play in early fire detection and suppression, Luke is particularly focused on reaching low-income and elderly individuals who may not have these essential safety devices in their homes.
First Installation: A Special Moment
On a recent outing, Luke had the privilege of making his first installation, providing Ed and Jan Taylor with a smoke detector and fire extinguisher. This installation was particularly meaningful, as the Taylors had previously experienced a flash flood, during which Luke and his fellow Scouts from Troop 63 had helped them clean up. Sharing a church community with the Taylors further deepened the connection. This initial installation served as a valuable learning experience for Luke, allowing him to identify areas for improvement before the main event on Saturday.
Luke is actively seeking community support to make his project a success. He’s currently developing Google Forms to streamline the process for both volunteers who wish to assist with installations and individuals who would like to request installations in their homes. Please stay tuned to Luke Johnson’s Eagle Project on Facebook, as all Google Forms will be posted by Friday, June 14th.
Donations Needed
To cover the cost of the smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, Luke is also welcoming donations. Your generosity can help ensure that every home in Bourbon County has the necessary tools to stay safe from fire.
Conclusion
Luke Johnson’s Eagle Project is a shining example of the positive impact young people can have on their communities. By addressing the critical issue of fire safety, he’s making a tangible difference in Bourbon County. The successful first installation at the Taylors’ home marks the beginning of this impactful journey. We applaud Luke’s efforts and encourage everyone to support his project in any way they can.
Troop 63 Joins Troop 56 for Summer Camp Adventure at Camp Crooked Creek
Summer camp is a highlight of the Scouting year, filled with opportunities for adventure, learning, and camaraderie. This summer, Scouts Max Hawkins and Sam Miller from Troop 63 had the unique experience of joining Troop 56 for their week-long summer camp at Camp Crooked Creek, part of the Lincoln Heritage Council, from July 7th to 13th.
A Week of Fun and Challenges
Camp Crooked Creek provided the perfect backdrop for a week of Scouting excitement. Max and Sam, along with their new friends from Troop 56, dove into a wide range of activities and challenges.
Merit Badge Mania: The Scouts pursued merit badges in various areas, honing skills and expanding their knowledge.
Max dedicated his time to:
Citizenship in the Nation: Learning about the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, exploring the different levels of government, and participating in a service project.
Sustainability: Understanding the principles of sustainability and taking action to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and promote environmental responsibility. Max successfully completed this merit badge.
Cooking: Mastering various cooking techniques, planning nutritious meals, and preparing food safely in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Wilderness Survival: Developing essential survival skills like building shelters, finding safe water, signaling for help, and navigating in the wilderness.
Sam focused on:
Cooking: Similar to Max, Sam also explored cooking techniques, meal planning, and food safety.
Sustainability: Sam also delved into the principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Fishing: Learning about different fish species, fishing equipment, and responsible fishing practices, and demonstrating fishing skills.
Chemistry: Exploring the fundamentals of chemistry, conducting experiments, and understanding the role of chemistry in everyday life. Sam successfully completed this merit badge.
Exploration: Researching and planning an exploration trip, learning about navigation and safety, and documenting the exploration experience. Sam also successfully completed this merit badge.
Aquatic Adventures: With the camp’s waterfront facilities, the Scouts enjoyed plenty of time on the water. Canoeing, kayaking, and swimming provided refreshing fun and a chance to build confidence and teamwork.
Outdoor Exploration: Hiking through the surrounding woods, the Scouts experienced the beauty of nature and learned valuable outdoor skills. They also tested their navigation abilities with orienteering challenges.
Campfire Camaraderie: Evenings around the campfire were filled with laughter, songs, and stories. The Scouts bonded with their fellow campers, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Benefits of Shared Experiences
The decision to join Troop 56 for summer camp provided Max and Sam with a valuable opportunity to broaden their Scouting horizons.
New Friendships: They forged new friendships with Scouts from another troop, expanding their social circles and strengthening the Scouting community.
Fresh Perspectives: Experiencing camp with a different troop exposed them to new ideas and approaches to Scouting activities.
Increased Confidence: Stepping outside their comfort zone and adapting to a new environment helped Max and Sam build self-reliance and resilience.
A Summer to Remember
Summer camp at Camp Crooked Creek was a resounding success for Max Hawkins and Sam Miller. They returned home with new skills, cherished memories, and a renewed appreciation for the Scouting spirit. Their experience serves as a reminder of the power of shared adventures and the importance of building connections within the Scouting community.
Troop 63’s Memorial Day Weekend Campout: A Blend of Adventure and Advancement
Scouting America Troop 63 kicked off their summer with a memorable Memorial Day weekend campout at the picturesque Headquarters Cattle Company Farm, nestled in the heart of Carlisle, Kentucky. The troop, comprised of eager Scouts and dedicated leaders, set up camp at the farm’s headquarters, located at 1794 Saltwell Headquarters Rd., ready to embrace a weekend filled with adventure, learning, and growth.
The campout provided the perfect backdrop for the Scouts to dive into their rank requirements and merit badge work. With the guidance of their experienced leaders, the boys actively participated in various skill-building activities, tackling challenges and honing their abilities. From knot-tying and fire-building to orienteering and first aid, the Scouts eagerly embraced every opportunity to expand their knowledge and earn those coveted badges.
The serene beauty of the Cattle Company Farm offered ample space for the Scouts to explore and connect with nature. Hiking trails wound through lush meadows, providing the perfect setting for reflection and camaraderie. The boys also had the chance to interact with the farm’s friendly animals, gaining a deeper appreciation for the natural world around them.
Evenings at the campout were filled with laughter, stories, and the warmth of a crackling campfire. The Scouts shared meals, swapped tales of their day’s adventures, and strengthened the bonds of friendship that make Scouting such a special experience.
As the weekend drew to a close, Troop 63 packed up their gear, leaving the Cattle Company Farm with a sense of accomplishment and renewed enthusiasm for their Scouting journey. The Memorial Day campout not only provided a fun and engaging experience but also served as a valuable opportunity for the Scouts to progress in their ranks and develop essential skills for life.
Troop 63 extends their heartfelt gratitude to the Cattle Company Farm for their hospitality and for providing such a wonderful setting for their campout. It was a weekend that will be cherished by all who attended.
