Scouts
The Boy Scouts meet every Monday at 7:00 p.m. The Cub Scouts meet the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Remember it's always a good time to join scouting - call Scoutmaster Bob DeSutter at 674-6668.
From Apr 2011 WP News
Camping in winter? "Snow problem!" say West Peoria Troop 11 Boy Scouts. January snows were welcomed by the scouts as they joined 28 other area troops for a Klondike Derby at Camp Wakonda. This day-long outdoor event featured a number of competitions where each Troop could test their scout skills. The boys competed in such events as the 4-man ski (4 people on one ski), snowshoe racing, first aid preparedness, shelter building, and many other fun events. A few scouts even took the opportunity to earn a Polar Bear award by spending 24 hours outside, including sleeping in a tent in below freezing temperatures. Other scouts opted for the warmth of one of Wakonda's barrel stove heated cabins. Either way, the boys had a great time and proved that no matter what the season you can always find adventure outdoors.
The outdoor fun continued in February with a trip to SnowStar Winter Ski Area. This annual Troop 11 event gives the scouts an opportunity to do some downhill skiing. SnowStar is a great place for beginners to learn but still provides enough challenge for those who have mastered the basics. Many Troop 11 scouts have become proficient skiers through their annual trips to SnowStar. February also gave the troop a chance to spend an evening with their troop sponsor, the West Peoria Lions Club. After dinner, the Troop entertained the Lions Club with a presentation of recent scout activities and told them about this summer's big backpacking adventure to Isle Royale National Park. The Lions Club generously offered to donate two new backpacking stoves for the troop to use on this outing and other future trips.
Troop 11 would like to congratulate their own Scoutmaster, Robert DeSutter, who was recently awarded the Silver Beaver. The Silver Beaver, a national award presented by the local council, is the highest honor a local council may bestow upon a volunteer. This award is given to those involved in the Scouting program that have given distinguished service to youth and performed community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. Bob has been involved in scouting in West Peoria for over 29 years and his level of community service, especially to the West Peoria area, is second to none. Troop 11 is very proud of our Scoutmaster and hopes that everyone will join us in congratulating Bob.
Do you know a young man who enjoys the outdoors and has a sense of adventure? Troop 11 is always looking for new members, and springtime is an especially good time to join. Any boy from 11-17 years old, or has completed 5th grade, can join. Previous Cub Scouting experience is not necessary and there is no residency requirement (membership is open to any boy from around the area). Troop 11 has a long history of being able to work with youth who participate in sports to still give them a successful and fun Scouting experience. We also have a lot of fundraising opportunities available that can make your scouting experience very affordable. Troop 11 normally meets on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For further information, call Bob DeSutter at (309)674-6668.
From Dec 2010 WP News
West Peoria Boy Scout Troop 11 has had a very busy fall season. In October, they attended the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts in America celebration at Comlara Park in Hudson, IL. This large gathering of troops from all over central Illinois contained lots of great scouting activities including rock-climbing, fishing, paintball, and canoe races. There were many different exhibits from falconry to civil war re-enactments. Miss Illinois was there to congratulate the scouts on their 100 years and urge each boy to continue to "Do Your Best". Nightly entertainment included musical acts, comedians and a fireworks show. Making the weekend even more special was having the second year Webelo's from Cub Scout Pack 11 join the Troop 11 scouts for the weekend.
Recent community involvement included helping the West Peoria Lions Club pick up trash along their stretch of "Adopted Highway". The troop also just completed their Butterbraids and Christmas Wreath fundraisers and would like to thank everyone in the area who helped to support these efforts.
In November, Troop 11 scouts and families came together for their annual "Turkey Dinner" celebration. This event was well attended and five scouts were recognized for their recent rank advancements. Brandon Langfeldt, Ted Lewis, and Nathan Wagner have each advanced to the Tenderfoot rank. Kane Hudson has achieved Star Scout, and Tyler Franciscovich has earned his Life Scout rank. During the celebration the troop was excited to learn that four new backpacking tents had just been donated to the scouts. The boys expect to put these to good use next year as they prepare for and journey to Isle Royale National Park for a week long backpacking adventure.
From Oct 2010 WP News
This summer a group of Scouts from West Peoria Troop 11 traveled to the Northern Tier; to the Boy Scouts of America High Adventure Base located on the Minnesota-Canadian border. The crew consisted of scouts Tyler Franciscovich, Jim Hoerdeman, Kane Hudson, Joseph Zilkowski and Matthew Zilkowski. Adult leaders Jeff VanNess, Joey VanNess and Bruce Zilkowski accompanied them. The group spent five days and four nights paddling canoes through the beautiful but rugged Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) covering over 60 miles on their journey. When the crew left base camp, they had to make sure they had all their equipment and food with them as there was no way to replenish supplies or pick up forgotten items after they took off. They navigated their way through the many lakes and rivers that make up the wilderness area, spending each night at a different campsite deep within the BWCA. They spent part of each day paddling crystal clear lakes or running river rapids. They even awoke one night at 2:00 a.m. so they could paddle under the beautiful night sky and watch the sunrise from their canoes. Along their journey they saw eagles, loons, turtles, fish and waterfalls. The area is so pristine they were even able to drink straight from the lakes without first having to purify their water.
During their trek, the scouts were able to earn the "Duty to God" and "Lake Monitoring" special patches. Their "Duty to God" award was achieved by attending a religious ceremony at base camp, having a daily reflection while in the BWCA and giving thanks before every meal. The "Lake Monitoring" patch required them to measure water clarity in five pre-assigned lakes. This was done by going to the middle of each lake and lowering a white metal disk, known as a Secchi disk, until it could no longer be seen. They then measured the depth of the disk at that point by counting the one foot increments marked on the rope that was attached to the disk. They found water clarity in some lakes was greater than 20 feet!
Each scout had trained hard for this trip having gone on a couple of practice canoe trips at Turkey Run State Park and the Hennepin Canal, as well as completing the Canoeing Merit Badge at summer camp. Although the Boundary Waters was physically challenging, due to the miles covered and the many portages where they had to carry all their equipment (including canoes) over land from one lake to another, they were well prepared for the task. They had a mile long portage that was particularly memorable because of its length, rough terrain and abundance of mosquitoes. Each scout learned that they could not only survive such a trip but actually thrive in this rugged environment. They attribute their great time and tremendous success at Northern Tier to their ability to live up to the Boy Scout motto: "Be Prepared".
To view articles published before 2010, click on this link: WP News - 2010. Then search through the WP News issues available online.