Memorial Day Parade
Troop 186 is marching this year in the Memorial Day parade.  Full Class A uniform (shirt, neckerchief, slide, hat, belt, and any special awards) are all required for the parade.  Wear what you have - it's the right time to have it all on display!  We'll meet at 9:30 at South Satellite Road.  Here's a link to the map to get you there if you've never been there:    Drive down the road, looking for other Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts or Cub Scouts - they'll all be there, and we're most likely lining up somewhere nearby.  If you're in town and can make it, we'd love to have your son marching with us!

Eagle Court of Honor
On Wednesday, June 3, we will have the honor of awarding FOUR of our Scouts with their Eagle badge, the highest rank in Scouting.  We've never had four Scouts receive the award at the same time, and it promises to be a special night.  Plan to join us in congratulating Sam Hosig, Colin Henehgen, Puneeth Kumar, and Mark Robidoux as they complete the climb to the highest rank in Scouting.

Gettysburg camping trip
History, a fun park, hiking and camping are all rolled into this year’s summer troop trip, Aug. 12-16!

Click here for details.
 

Dining and camping at
Camp Johnson in nearby Bolton

Families can join scouts for dinner at Camp Johnson in nearby Bolton, CT, on May 2. The scouts will be staying overnight, but parents and siblings are welcome to head on home after a delicious outdoor meal. It's an easy way for families to get a taste of the weekend camping experience -- without dragging out the sleeping bags for themselves!

Here's a link to directions.

We'll be "pulling out all the stops" for dinner, with special entrees and a campfire at night with skits and songs performed by our own patrols.  If you haven't been camping with us before, this is a great chance to see how we do it, and to get a glimpse of what goes on when your son goes on a weekend trip.  The food will be really good, and the company even better.  We'll remind you again, but if you're near your calendar, circle Saturday May 2 now so you'll have it set aside to join us!
 

Brian Moran Eagle Project
Please reserve part of Saturday, May 9, to participate in Brian Moran's Eagle Project, which involves building a bird blind and clearing part of a trail at Wapping Park. The event starts at 8 a.m. at the park off Clark St. Bring shovels, rakes, loppers, bow saws, and hammers. Come when you can; leave when you must. We'll feed you!!!!

Mandatory activity:
Phonebook fundraiser
Save the date -- Saturday, April 4 -- for our annual fundraiser of distributing telephone books. Click here for details on this year's phonebook fundraiser -- including directions!!
 

Troop 186 takes a hike!
Lace up your hiking shoes for an early spring hike on Sunday, March 15 at Giufridda Park in Meriden, Conn. Here's more info and here's the permission slip.
 

Youth Leader Training Meeting
Calling all new and existing patrol leaders. We're holding a special leader training night March 25 at Eli Terry Elementary School. Learn the skills that will take your leadership to the next level.

Ski Butternut
Troop 186 will be skiing and snow tubing on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Ski Butternut resort in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Discount rates available. Details to follow. Save the date if you love the snow!

Eagle Court of Honor
Scouts, parents, and family are invited to this week's Troop meeting, where we will honor our two most recent Eagle Scouts, Mike McGuire and Kevin Berstene.

 For all of our Scouts, this is a night to wear your full dress uniform (your "Class A"). Please be at the school at 6:40PM to help set up the chairs.

Scouts in the SLOTH patrol and Scouts in the SENIOR patrol are asked to bring something to drink to share with everyone. We will have a cake to honor the new Eagle Scouts as well.

This night is the proudest moment in Scouting for Kevin and for Mike - please join us in congratulating them on their accomplishment, and celebrate with them as they join the ranks of those who have reached the summit of Scouting achievement.

Merit Badge College
Looking to earn some merit badges to speed your advancement? The Mohegan District is running its Merit Badge College on Jan. 17 at Connecticut College. Participants can earn one and perhaps two merit badges in a single day. For details on registration and a list of available badges, click here.

Happy New Year; Welcome Back
Troop 186 jumps back into action with a regular troop meeting Jan. 7, followed by a winter campout at Shenipsit State Forest on Jan. 10-11. Confirm your camping attendance at the Jan. 7 meeting.

Scouting for Food
Great work, Scouts! South Windsor troops collected a total of 8,350 pounds of food -- more than four tons! That's 767 more pounds of food than last year for an increase of more than 10 percent. Super job helping the needy. Scouting for Food is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. Scouting for Food began as a service project for the St. Louis Area Council in 1985 and was adopted by the National Organization in 1988.

See the full Troop 186 schedule for 2008-2009 by clicking here.

Whitewater Rafting trip
Troop 186's summer high-adventure trip -- a whitewater rafting journey through Maine -- is drawing near. Check out this flyer for details, including what to bring. Meet at PRS at 8:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8. Want info on our guides? Check out the website of the Professional River Runners.

Kevin Mack recognized in article
Read all about Kevin's scouting journey in Troop 186 and his recent achievement of the Eagle rank. Super job, Kevin!

Great job, Troop 186!!!
The recent Court of Honor was a tremendous demonstration of the troop's accomplishments over the last year. Dozens of merit badges and advancements were given out. The recap of camping adventures and fun activities was truly amazing. It's going to be hard to top that for next year, but with great teamwork, Troop 186 can do it!!! Thanks to all the adult leaders and parents for helping and supporting the troop.

Tom Grenier makes Eagle!
Congratulations to Troop 186's newest Eagle Scout: Tom Grenier. Way to go, Tom. Well done!
 

Summer Camp
Please make payment now.
Troop 186's annual week-long camping trip at J.N. Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford is approaching. It's sure to be another great adventure in fun and achievement. This year's trip is scheduled for July 13-19. Cost is $305. Money is due by May 1 to Mr. Hosig. Here are links to medical forms.

Purgatory Chasm camping trip
Check out these photos of Troop 186's recent camping and climbing excursion to Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Massachusetts. Watch your step! Those rocks can be pretty slippery.


Kevin Mack makes Eagle!Congratulations to Troop 186's latest Eagle Scout: Kevin Mack. Way to go, Kevin. Well done!

Klondike Derby
Please reserve Saturday, Feb. 2, for the 2008 Klondike Derby at J.N. Webster. Troop 186 will only be participating on Saturday. Travel details to follow.
 Meanwhile, here's a link to the Klondike flyer on the council website, and another link to the leader's guide.

Welcome Webelos
Webelos from Packs 389 and 186 will be visiting with us on Feb. 6. Parents of Webelos are invited to attend an information session during the same time their boys are visiting.

Winter camping trip
Join the troop for a winter camping excursion (complete with cabin) to Camp Mattatuck in Plymouth, Connecticut, on Jan. 5-6. This is our Klondike Derby preparation trip, so it's important all scouts plan on attending. We have a cabin reserved so it is also a good time for any parents who would like to attend but are not thrilled about sleeping in a tent to attend as well.  The Klondike is scheduled for the first Saturday in February.

Holiday Party Night

On our normal troop meeting night, Wednesday, Dec. 12, we'll hold a holiday party at Nomad's Adventure Quest in South Windsor. It's a night for having fun with the others in our troop, and everyone is invited!

Trick or Treat
Due to Halloween, Troop 186's regular weekly meeting has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. at the Nevers Road Pavilion. Scouting for Food bags will be distributed. Bring a flashlight and a compass. See you there!

Be Prepared
Good training and preparation came in handy for a troop of Boy Scouts who found themselves lost in a wilderness. By using their skills and smarts, they emerged unharmed.

Urban camping anyone?

Join us as we explore the Big Apple! Troop 186 will be camping in a Staten Island scout campground and venturing to Manhattan via ferry (waving hello Lady Liberty as we pass) for sightseeing, eating and exploring. All family members welcome to join the fun! See Mr. Leslie for details. We need a final headcount by Wednesday, Sept. 26. 

2007-2008 Troop calendar
Check out our outstanding schedule of upcoming activities by clicking here or on the "Schedule" link on the left toolbar.

Welcome back, Troop 186
We hope it was a great summer. Welcome back to another great year of Scouting. Our initial meeting for the 2007-08 year is set for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 5, at PR Smith. Interested in joining Scouting or know someone who is? Check out our new section on why Troop 186 is a super troop to join.

Another great summer camp
Troop 186 again won the "Super Troop" award during another great week at J.S. Webster scout camp. Congratulations to Greg Stonoha for winning the Honor Camper award. Well earned and well deserved!

Congrats to our newest Eagles
Troop 186 congratulates its two newest Eagle scouts: Gavin Hosig and Spencer Hill. Please check out the full roster of Troop 186 Eagle scouts by visiting our online Honor Roll.

Scoutmaster of the Year!
Congratulations to Scoutmaster Randy Olson, who was named Scoutmaster of the Year by the Connecticut Rivers Council. Well done! Thanks for all your years of service.

Summer camp
There's still time to register for Troop 186's annual weeklong camping trip to JN Webster in Ashford.

Camping at Cooperstown
Join us for an exciting camping trip to Cooperstown, N.Y., home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, on Aug. 4-7. We'll visit the hall, tour Howe Caverns, see the Saratoga Battlefield National Park, hike, swim, camp, cook and crown this year's mini-golf champion. Fee is $75. See Steve Leslie for details.

Phonebook Distribution
Troop 186's annual fundraiser is scheduled Saturday, April 28. Please arrive between 7:45 a.m. and 8 a.m. behind Scan-Optics in Manchester. (See this map.) Attendance is mandatory.

Camping at Hammonasset
Our next camping trip is planned for May 19-20 at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. Plan now to attend!

Upcoming elections, May 2
Scouts interested in running for the position of senior patrol leader should be prepared to make a brief statement at the April 25th troop meeting as to why they should be elected. Candidates for patrol leader need not prepare remarks. 

Spring camping trip
Troop 186 scouts visited Purgatory Chasm in Sutton, Mass., during a camping trip April 14-15. Check out the online photo album.
-- Updated April 15

Summer camp at JN Webster
Here are the medical forms for summer camp. 

We recommend that you get these new forms completed due to the many changes they've made this year.  We are accepting camp deposits and must be paid in full by May 15.  We are scheduled for the week of July 8-14.  We are need of adults to attend camp this year.  As in prior years there to no cost for adults to attend. For more information, visit the JN Webster website. 
-- Posted March 28

Missing scout found
After four days lost in the North Carolina mountains, a 12-year-old scout was found alive and well. Remember: stay with the group!

Welcome new scouts!
Isaac and Ryan, Webelos IIs from Pack 389, have elected to join Troop 186. Way to go! You're adding to a great team!
-- Posted March 11

Mark your calendars
Troop 186's annual fundraiser -- phone book distribution -- is scheduled Saturday morning, April 28. Details to follow but please reserve the date. This is a mandatory troop event.
-- Posted March 11

Test your Scout IQ
So, you think you're pretty knowledgeable about scouting. Then see how many of these facts about scouting you already know.

Think Summer in Winter
Tired of sub-freezing weather? It's not too early to think about summer camp. Troop 186 will attend J.N. Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford during the week of July 8-13. It's a great time for everyone. Make your plans now!

Scouting in Action in E.Hartford
Scouting is tremendously valuable to East Hartford kids who have signed up in double the expected numbers for a new program there.

Welcome Webelos!
Webelos from South Windsor packs will be visiting Troop 186 at the Feb. 7 meeting.

Troop members are reminded to wear Class A uniforms, to arrive promptly and to greet our guests warmly. Also, please bring annual troop registration dues.

New Eagle Scout Honor Roll
Check out our new "honor roll" listing of Troop 186 scouts who have ascended to the elite rank of Eagle. More than 60 members of this troop have earned Scouting's highest honor. -- Posted Feb. 5

Troop 186 Scout recognized
Robby Cvejanovich, who has a form of autism, was highlighted in this Hartford Courant story for his achievement of scouting's highest rank: Eagle. Way to go Robby!
-- Posted Jan. 2

Do A Good Turn Daily
Here's the full text of the inspirational column on the importance of doing a "good turn daily," as read by Scoutmaster Randy Olson at our recent meeting.
-- Posted Dec. 22

Winter camping conquest
Shenipset State Forest was the setting for Troop 186s latest camping excursion. Check out the photo gallery for more.
-- Posted Dec. 10

Scavenger Hunt a Smashing Success
Webelos II scouts from throughout South Windsor joined Troop 186 for a Scavenger Hunt on Sunday at Nevers Park. After finding piles of facts scattered throughout the park, the scouts relaxed with cookies and hot chocolate. Check out the photo album.
-- Posted Nov. 19

Camping Gear Inventory:
Mission Accomplished!
Scouts and leaders conducted a complete inventory of Troop 186 camping gear. Next step: Checking out the status of all the troop tents.
-- Posted Nov. 12

Troop 186 and Scouts throughout the nation did a good turn by gathering food for the less fortunate. Check out the photo gallery for a view of the action.
-- Posted Nov. 4 

Devil's Hopyard camping trip
Troop 186 scouts completed a fall camping expedition to Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam on Oct. 21 and 22. Check out the good times in this online photo gallery.
-- Posted: Oct. 29

Scout supporters honored
The Connecticut Rivers Council is set to honor two men with distinguished citizen awards.
-- Posted Oct. 31