Troop 20 Calendar (same info as clicking "Calendar" on left menu)
Check out the beginnings of our new look1
We will be hosting our new website at Troopwebhost as they offer a lot more benefits to a Boy Scout Troop with integrated record keeping and very simple photo and video gallery construction that directly integrates with the Troop calendar. And it will allow the Scouts to be more proactive in the development of our Troop web page. So check out the future home of Troop 20 (we will still be www.troop20.com with just a new face)
Monday, September 14, 2015 - First Troop Meeting of the School Year - Carroll Center - 7:00PM
All scouts, parents, and leaders are encouraged to attend. Scouts should wear Class A’s or B’s if they have them. The agenda will include:
Flags no later than 7:05.
Plans for the upcoming year. Monthly campouts. Merit Badges (including the first date for the First Aid badge announced, this is a challenging badge, Eagle required, there will be two sessions with a physician at Elmhurst Hospital, no make-up sessions).
Registration forms and fees.
Review of Camp Napowan. Scouts will be asked by me in advance through their parents to prepare some brief comments on the various badges and activities they worked on.
Review of Isle Royale. Scouts will be asked by me in advance through their parents to prepare some brief comments on the various badges and activities they worked on.
Court of Honor for scouts who did not rank advance at last May’s Court of Honor and are ready.
Dues $1.00
Carroll Center7:00pm - 8:30pm (Flags will be called promptly at 7:05pm so don't be late!)
Monday, September 21, 2015 - Regular Troop Meeting - Carroll Center - 7:00PM
These regular meetings will be structured as follows:
Flags no later than 7:05 regardless of how many scouts are there.
All scouts in class A’s or class B’s. Class A scouts will do the flags.
Announcements to last no longer than 7:15, unless there is something in particular that might take a little longer such as Christmas wreaths, in which case announcements will end no later than 7:20.
After announcements, work on merit badges. Then break up into Rank Advancement groups.
Dues $1.00
Carroll Center7:00pm - 8:30pm (Flags will be called promptly at 7:05pm so don't be late!)
Friday, September 25 - Sunday September 27, 2015 - Theme Canoeing Campout in Morris, Illinois - 4:00PM
Matt Rodde to arrange this trip. 7 scouts went to Napowan for the first time this summer and got their Canoeing badges, so let’s go with the momentum. Webelos invited Friday to Sunday. Webelos cannot come on the water, so we will have a program for them on land.
It is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn and it must be earned by their 18th birthday. It recognizes qualities such as citizenship, integrity, leadership and community involvement, and in 2012, the Eagle Scout program will turn 100. The first Eagle Scout badge was presented to 16-year-old Arthur Eldred of Oceanside, N.Y. in April 1912, after his completion of 21 merit badges Today, more than 50,000 scouts (out of approximately 2 million) earn the Eagle Scout Award each year, reports the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA)
(and the Leaders actually had "hair" on their heads - except for Saxine of course!)
Troop 20 Alum, Tim Beissinger, chronicles his build of a cedar strip caone
In his own words:
Hey folks. I clicked the contact link on the Troop 20 website to send this, so please pass it on to all of the scoutmasters (at least the ones who were around through '05).
Troop 20 Alum Tim Beissinger here. It's been a while since I've been in touch with any of you, but I have something to share. Because of my fond memories canoeing with the troop at the Quetico Provincial Park, Flambeau River, Summer Camp, and more, I decided to build a canoe. After a year of production, I just finished the build over the weekend. I attached a picture, and if you're interested my build is chronicled here : www.timbeissinger.jux.com
Thanks for the original inspiration! Feel free to show it to any of the current scouts :-)
Congratulations to the Fredericks family as they won the 2014 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Election Results
The boys were full of energy and for awhile a brokered election seemed likely, however in the interest of Troop unity, as certified by the disbarred law firm (emeritus) of Dewey, Cheatem & Howe, the following were the tabulated results:
Senior patrol leader: Evan DeCraene (not present for the photo)
ASPL: Ryan D.
Scribe: Larry C.
Historian: Ryan F.
Librarian: Hunter G.
Chaplain Aide: Dillon M.
Webmaster: Michael F.
Some Information for Boy Scout Families of Troop 20
Welcome back to Troop 20! The entire Troop 20 leadership, and Scouts, are excited to welcome your sons back to the Troop for a great year. We look forward to sharing campouts, camp fires, skiing, canoes, hiking, learning, Camp Napawon and all the memories these will generate for your sons.
Meetings: We meet on Monday nights at 7pm at Carroll Park, except when we don't. There have been times when we had to meet somewhere else, but those are rare. Usually, after a weekend campout, we do not meet the following Monday. That is because we leaders are old and decrepit and need the rest. We also do not meet during most of the summer. Each Scout is expected to wear a Class A or B uniform and bring one dollar in dues to the meetings. This helps cover the cost of cookies and “bug juice”. During meetings, we usually work on merit badges and upcoming trips.
Parental Involvement: For some of our trips, we have adequate numbers of vehicles and drivers. For others, we need parents to drive. But, for every trip or outing, parents are always welcome to attend. Always. You are also very (very!) welcome to join in the troop leadership. Fear not: you can do what you have time for. Camping, organizing trips, working on merit badges, the possibilities are many. Speak to any of the leaders at any of our meetings for details. It is absolutely essential to the health of the Troop that parents step up and be involved.
Boy Scout Charter: Troop 20 is chartered through the Ascension Parish Men’s Club. We are an authorized Troop of Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Des Plaines Valley Council. Young Men get the opportunity to learn outdoor skills, camp, enjoy the Company of their friends, and in general, have a good time.
Interested in Boy Scouts?: You did not need to have been a Cub Scout to join Boy Scouts. You do need to be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old and adhere to the basic laws of Scouting. Interested parties should visit us during our regular meetings at Carroll Recreation Center at Kenilworth and Fillmore Ave (behind Lincoln in Oak Park).
For additional information, Contact Scoutmaster Michael Jirasek at 386-5084, or Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Grandy at 848-7956.
Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures!
Oh, looking for pictures? Click the link on the left menu for "Past Events"
Troop 20 Scouts "In the News"
Troop 20's Isaac Rothenbaum (and co-founder Maisie Devine) have been selected one of the 2015 Forbes 30 under 30 in Enterprise Technology.
Maisie Devine, 26, Isaac Rothenbaum, 25
Cofounders, Poacht
Devine and Rothenbaum built a service that lets job seekers discreetly look for new gigs by covertly informing potential new employers about their requirements upfront (salary, benefits, culture) In its first 6 months, more than 250 employers (including 7 Global 2000 firms) have signed up to recruit through and posted thousands of job listings.
Troop 20's Mike Watts has been in Liverpool England competing in a world competition for the World Shotokan Karate Association. Mike won Gold in the Junior division (18 to 20 year olds) yesterday (September 28, 2013). Below is a picture after the award ceremony.
Mike not only took some karate lessons (in the beginning) at the Oak Park Park District program - in true Scout fashion Mike also helped teach younger students as he got older.
Congratulations to Mike (and Tim, Trish and Allison for helping him get there)!
Troop 20 is extremely proud of you!
Troop 20 Eagle Scout Nathan Rothenbaum (and Margaret Solice), have won the 2013 National Junior Division Debate Tournament - no mean feat for two students who previously never partnered together during their first season on the Trinity University debate team. The annual tournament, open to students in their first two years of participating in college debate, was held in March, 2013 at the Johnson County Community College in Kansas City, Kan.Trinity College. Congratulations, Nathan!
Troop 20 Eagle Scout Nathan Rothenbaum (center in picture below) made it to Quarter Finals at the prestigious 2012 TOC (Tournament of Champions) held in Lexington Kentucky. That put Nathan and his debate partner, Noah (left in picture, David pictured right is their Coach), amongst the top 8 policy debate teams in the country. Nathan also took 9th place policy speaker. That was the highest rank for his high school in more than 20 years. Nathan will continue to debate while at Trinity University. Congratulations, Nathan!
Troop 20's Michael Watts on Saturday, September 17, 2011, won a gold medal at the 2011 World Shotokan Championships.
Shotokan is one of the main styles of traditional Japanese karate. The World Shotokan Championships is a biannual event, sponsored by the World Shotokan Karate Association. This year's tournament included representatives from twenty countries, in the age divisions of cadet (16-17 yo), junior (18-20), and senior (21+).
In the cadet age group, Michael won sparring matches against Poland, South Africa, Sweden, and beat England in the finals. Michael is pictured below, second from left. Congratulations, Michael!
Former Troop 20 Scout A.J. Williams stars in "The Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show" which premiered on August 28th on Channel 20. A.J. also toured the US as a member of the National Touring Company of “The Color Purple” in the roles of "Young Harpo" and "Young Adam". Congratulations A.J.!
Troop 20's Michael Watts recently competed in the 2009 Pan American Junior Games in El Salvador for Karate. Michael took a silver medal! Congratulations, Michael!
Troop 20's Isaac Rothenbaum received the 2009 NCAA Sportsmanship Award for Division III, which is given each year to one man and one woman in National Collegiate Athletics Association sports from each Division who have demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility. It was created and first awarded in 1999.Congratulations, Isaac!
(Let us know of other Troop 20 Scouts in the news and we'll be thrilled to post it on the site)
Order of the Arrow, Lodge Pachsegink 246
Congratulations to the OA candidates who finished The “Ordeal” at Camp Ranch in Rochelle, IL
Click the patch below to link to the our Pachsegink 246 Lodge Website
Those Troop20 Scouts completing their Ordeal were:
Nathan R., Justin K., Michael W., Frank S., Evan D., and Adrian (Adam) K.
Congratulations to Asst. Scoutmaster Arnie R. who also completed Ordeal and Scoutmaster Mike J. for completing Brotherhood. Also present and attending was Committee Chair, Mike G (currently Brotherhood) who offered his service to the Lodge.
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser Raffle Winners
Congratulations to the Goto family as they won the 2015 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Fredericks family as they won the 2014 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Kruss family as they won the 2013 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Schwarber family as they won the 2012 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Sandoval family as they won the 2011 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Jirasek family as they won the 2010 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Delisi family as they won the 2009 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Kraft family as they won the 2008 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Congratulations to the Brown family as they won the 2007 Pancake Breakfast Raffle for the One Week Florida Vacation at PicadillyParadise!
Jealous? Then, rent this fully furnished house for your next Florida vacation, mention Troop 20 and 10% of the rental payment will be donated to Troop 20.
Eagle Scouts (thanks to Asst. Scoutmaster Ray Chwasz for helping these Scouts keep on task)
Congratulations to our most recent Eagle Scouts:
Michael F. and Michael B.
Play the Troop20 I-Spy Game: Can you spot the 10 differences in our two pictures?
Do you have an eye for detail? We've taken the above picture and made 10 changes.
I am very sorry to tell you that our own Assistant Scoutmaster Tom Johnston passed away Sunday, December 9, 2007. For those of you who did not know Tom, he fought through many adversities in a life dedicated to Scouting and our boys. Tom, who was blind in one eye, suffered from Cerebral Palsy. He walked only with extraordinary difficulty, using two crutches. Born premature and battling all these limitations and accompanying pain, Tom became an Eagle Scout. He even earned the Hiking Merit Badge, which involved a twenty mile hike.
Throughout his adult life, as a teacher and in retirement, Tom was dedicated to Scouting, guiding many, many boys through the ranks. Tom was always ready with a groan-inducing pun, even when you were just sure that you phrased your sentence in just the right way so that a pun was impossible. Tom will be missed and our prayers are with him.
As always, feel free to call Jerry with questions. (Complaints can go to Arnie or John or one of the Mikes!)
Troop 20
