Troop 221 Blog

Scout Troop 221 Hosts Annual Tree Recycling Event

12/1/2024

Tree Recycling is a big part of the fundraising for Scout Troop 221. It not only helps our neighbors get rid of old Christmas trees, but it is an important team-builder for our troop. Each year, we turn more than 200 trees into mulch, which we spread to protect the landscaping throughout the community. 100% of the money we raise goes to fund campouts, rock climbing, rafting trips, and new gear for our Scouts.

I have participated in the Tree Recycling event for 3 years, and it is amazing to see my fellow Scouts come together to help the community and our troop. Even though it can get cold and rainy at times, we have fun working together and goofing around. Scout Troop 221 has done so much for me, and I feel a sense of fulfillment supporting them throughout the year.

—Liam Wafer

Champoeg Outing

12/9/2022

The Champoeg National State Park outing was a Stingray only outing, where almost everyone from the patrol showed up. It was a two-night venture where we had to overcome many obstacles. It was very rainy and windy, so with some craftsmanship, we were able to build a rainfly type of structure to shelter us. We had some beef stew one of the nights which was amazing, along with lots of fun games. We were able to go on somewhat of a small hike around the park which was nice. Overall, a very fun exclusive outing for the older scouts, and something to bring the Stingrays closer together.

Butte Creek Outing (11/17/22-11/19/22)

11/19/2022

The Butte Creek outing was a fun outing we got to go on this Winter of 2022. We were able to ride horses, which isn’t a usual occurrence on our outings. The horses took us up and over a ridge for a few miles which made up a very fun experience. The troop spent a lot of time exploring the campsite and Butte Creek as a whole. We found many things and places that were very cool, and many people were able to capitalize on some of their requirements. Dinner was served, we played late night Jenga, and had some fun free time to enjoy the outdoors. And on the morning of our departure, it snowed! This was very surprising for us since we didn’t think it was cold enough for there to be snow, but it was a great surprise to end the outing.

Sioux Creek (9/10/22-9/11/22)

9/11/2022

Siouxon Creek was our most recent outing and quite a pleasant one at that. It was about a four-mile hike from the parking lot to our campsite, a nice distance. We got to experience different biomes throughout the forest. Our campsite was right next to the creek, we got to look at all different kinds of rocks on the shore. We then explored around the campsite, found lots of cool spots, and did some fun hikes. A couple scouts went up to a waterfall around a mile away from camp which was pretty cool. After those scouts returned, we cooked some Mountain House and filtered some river water to go with. Later on, we completed a fairly steep hike with a few scouts up on the Horseshoe Ridge Trail which took us 1000 feet up in about a quarter mile length. Very steep and really fun. We then got back very tired and almost all of us fell right asleep in our tents. The next morning, we ate breakfast, packed up our things, and hiked back. Overall a great overnight trip to Siouxon Creek.

Matthieu Lakes Wilderness - June 29 - July 2

7/11/2021

At the end of June, our Troop went to Sisters for a three-night backpack through the scenic Matthieu Lakes. It was fun! A few dips in the lake, a bunch of card games, some great advancement, and a boulder up to the top of some of Sisters' lava flow.

June 29th -
It was a two-mile hike from the parking lot to the South Lake. While a two-mile hike normally isn't much trouble, some scouts had trouble because of the heat. Lucky for us, though, we all brought plenty of water, so it just took us longer than usual.

Our oldest patrol, the Ravens, arrived at our campsite first. After taking a dip in the lake, they found a spot to set up tents (and hammocks). The rest of the night we spent getting settled in, eating dinner, and avoiding mosquitoes.

June 30th-
Starting Day Two, some morale was a bit low, mosquitoes proving a damper on some's experience. However, a scout is persistent! And they did not stop us from going on a hike to the North Matthieu Lake before lunch, a good opportunity to get some TTFC requirements for our youngest patrol, the Panthers.

After getting back to camp and eating a mountain house lunch, the Leaders started off a bunch of Camping Merit Badges for the Panthers and the Stingrays.

With most advancement out of the way for the day, time was freed up for loads of games! I ran a map-making game for the younger scouts, and then we all took turns teaching each other card games (give up and down the river a shot, it rules!). Later, once it was dark and the mosquitoes had gone to sleep, the older scouts played some games too!

Our Troop Instructor's "CUBE" a box full of Magic Cards to draft with whenever he can bring it on a campout

July 1st-
After a slow start to our last full day at Matthieu Lakes, our Scoutmaster, Ted, suggested we climb up to the top of the nearby lava flow. We were reluctant at first, but it was fantastic! Climbing is fun, and you had a beautiful view of the lake, (another pro- no mosquitoes!) and there were an immense amount of monarch butterflies just lazily gliding around. It was wonderful, we wanted to stay there for the rest of the campout, but you can't really stake a tent into a boulder!

July 2nd-
Say what you will about mosquitoes, but I don't think there's a better motivator for packing up camp quickly! Many of us agreed to wake up earlier than usual, and I didn't have to tell anyone twice to get up and moving. We were back at the cars about two and a half hours after we woke up.

To spend some time, we stopped at the Dee Wright Observatory, explored, and went on a small hike through the cooled lava rivers.

The Dee Wright Observatory

Later that day, we got pizza for lunch and then made our way home getting back in the mid-afternoon. Campout complete!

Overall, this campout was certainly one to remember, for better or for worse. As the SPL, it was exciting to see everyone work together to make the best of a buggy situation, and their efforts were worth it! Playing games, bouldering up the lava flow, and soaking in the lake were all great times, so I'd say our Matthieu Lakes outing went pretty well.

George Boutwell,
Troop 221 SPL

Scout Troop 221 Hosts Annual Tree Recycling Event

Champoeg Outing

Butte Creek Outing (11/17/22-11/19/22)

Sioux Creek (9/10/22-9/11/22)

Matthieu Lakes Wilderness - June 29 - July 2

At the end of June, our Troop went to Sisters for a three-night backpack through the scenic Matthieu Lakes. It was fun! A few dips in the lake, a bunch of card games, some great advancement, and a boulder up to the top of some of Sisters' lava flow.

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Scout Troop 221 Hosts Annual Tree Recycling Event

Champoeg Outing

Butte Creek Outing (11/17/22-11/19/22)

Sioux Creek (9/10/22-9/11/22)

Matthieu Lakes Wilderness - June 29 - July 2

At the end of June, our Troop went to Sisters for a three-night backpack through the scenic Matthieu Lakes. It was fun! A few dips in the lake, a bunch of card games, some great advancement, and a boulder up to the top of some of Sisters' lava flow.​

Author

Archives

Categories

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!

Troop 221 Meetings

Contact our Troop

Cascade Pacific Council

National Council

At the end of June, our Troop went to Sisters for a three-night backpack through the scenic Matthieu Lakes. It was fun! A few dips in the lake, a bunch of card games, some great advancement, and a boulder up to the top of some of Sisters' lava flow.