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Welcome to Troop 186's web site!!! 

Troop Meeting on 4/29/2026

Posted on Apr 29 2026 - 9:38pm

The scouts had an excellent meeting tonight. Here are some announcements from the meeting:

  • Now is the last call for early bird summer camp fees. If you are interested in joining our troop for summer camp, make sure to pay your fees before Thursday night to lock in the early bird fee and pay at a cheaper rate. After Friday the rates begin to increase, so make sure you get your payments in. 
  • For scouts attending summer camp, make sure to get your merit badge selections to Mr. Miller so he can sign you up for your desired merit badges. To do this, find the merit badge document online, print the document out, highlight or circle your merit badge selections, write your name on the paper, and either give the paper to Mr. Miller or send him a photo electronically. 
  • There is a PLC meeting this Sunday May 2nd. Information will be put in the PLC group chat.
  • Congratulations to Vihaan for making scout rank.

Spring cleanup

Posted on Apr 29 2026 - 11:03am

Good afternoon Troop 186!

Spring has sprung and it’s that time of year again. The troop plans to dedicate service hours to support our sponsoring organization.

Please save the date to help with spring clean-up at the church on Saturday, May 9th, 9am-12pm.

Leaders will be present, but adults are always welcome. Please wear long pants, bring gloves, and any small hand tools or a rake to help with weeding and spreading mulch.

Thanks!

Summer Camp UPDATED

Posted on Apr 29 2026 - 11:00am

 

A few updates.     The amount for Summer Camp is $575.  

 
This year we’re also collecting $13  for the Troop picture ahead of time.    This money is collected and provided directly to the photographer that will take a group photo of our Troop on Tuesday when we're all in our uniforms.    It is completely optional, and typically about 75% of our families order one.
 
We’ve added an option to pay through our Troop Website, or you can provide a check at one of our meetings.
 
 
 
UPDATED Important dates we’ll fill in as we get closer:
 
  • NOW:    Save the dates and Schedule your medical checkup now.
  • NOW:    Pick your MBs and other selections.
  • NOW:   Pay through our website, or by check or cash in person.
  • 04/19    Pre-Camp Leader Webinar (see below)
  • 04/29    Deadline to pay $575 for the Early Bird Discount so we can register by 5/1.
  • TBA   Health forms due ASAP.
  • TBA   Pre-Camp parent meeting during one of our Troop meetings for Q&A.
  • TBA   Pre-Camp meeting at camp to drop off medical forms and select program elements.
  • 07/05 - 07/10    Summer Camp at JNW!
 
 
Updates from Camp:
 
Merit Badge and Program Registration is now open. Please be aware that sessions with capacities (ATV, PWC & Whitewater) are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Base Camp Hub Updates - The Base Camp Hub has been updated with the following 2026 resources:
  • Merit Badge Prerequisites: A list of requirements that must be completed prior to arrival at camp.
  • Program Guides: Regarding camp operations and schedules.
  • Theme Week Information: Details regarding weekly themes and relevant unit participation.
Early Bird Payment Deadline - To receive the lowest possible summer camp rate for your Scouts, the Camp Fee must be paid in full by the Early Bird Deadline of May 1, 2026
Pre-Camp Leader Webinar - An informational webinar for Unit Leaders and Contingent Coordinators will be held to discuss logistics, health services, program and camp preparations.
 
 

Hi,

 
It’s time to get excited about …..    Summer Camp!
 
Troop 186 will be going to summer camp again at Camp June Norcross Webster (JNW) in Ashford, CT   from Sunday 07/05/2026 - Friday 07/10.
 
JNW calls this “Week #2”, and it’s our traditional week to go.    This year the July 4th holiday weekend is the weekend we go to camp.
 
 
The cost for the week is  $575   (Early Bird Fee with our Save-A-Spot discount)   if paid to us by April 29 to give us a few days to get it into their system.  Pay through our Troop Website (coming soon),  or make a check payable to “Troop 186” and bring to a Troop meeting.   We will sign you up so we’re all together as one contingent and your payment to us goes straight through to Council.    Don’t sign up or pay directly through Council.    
 
The Connecticut Rivers Council will continue to award camperships to assist Scouts who need funds to attend camp and might not otherwise do so.   Let us know if you fall into that category and we can help.   
 
 
There is a lot of interesting information at the camp website, including the camperships, health forms, Encore weeks, and Counselor in Training:    https://www.gotowebster.org/scout-summer-camp.html
 
Make sure Scouts and Adults get their medical checkup within one year of camp and have the Drs office fill out their part of the health form.    We’ll be collecting Health Forms,  Merit Badge (MB) selections, and other special selections between now and camp.
 
A few notes about MBs:      Some selections have age requirements, extra costs, or prerequisites (for example, you’ll need to complete the Swim Test in order to do any of the aquatic or boating MBs.     Please see me or another adult leader if you have any questions or concerns about selections, and we will be having a parent meeting for Q&A.
 
Our two new/crossover Scouts  Vihaan G  and  Dylan  will be signed up for the First Class Path for first year campers, and all our other Scouts can start picking out their Merit Badges and other selections now.
 
We need Adult campers, too!       
 
 
 
 
Summer camp will be here before you know it, and I can’t wait!
Mike Miller

Tents and Summer Camp early bird deadline

Posted on Apr 29 2026 - 10:58am

Scouts - Reminder to bring in any tents or Troop gear to the meeting tonight. Make sure you dried out your tent, and sleeping gear.

Bring in checks for Summer camp. The deadline for early bird discount is today!

Camping this weekend at Cockaponset

Posted on Apr 24 2026 - 10:08am

Scouts - Ready for our campout this weekend?

 
Please meet at the Avery Street Church by 5:30 so we can leave as quickly as possible.   Eat dinner before hand, or bring something for the road.    We have about a 45 minute drive to Cockaponset State Park in Chester.
 
We may have a short walk to our campsite, so try to pack light with your gear in a backpack or duffle bag to help carry it.    We do have a small wagon to help move gear.
 
Dress for the weather.   It will get cold, so dress in layers, but definitely bring a warm jacket, hat, gloves.  Sleeping bag and some kind of pad for underneath it.    Toiletries.   Flashlight or headlamp, or lantern.   Rugged foot wear for walking on trails.   Personal water bottle.   Rain coat or poncho.
 
Food assignments (Your Patrol leaders should have communicated what you need to bring).
 
Mess kit if you have one (or extra plate, fork/spoon, cup).
 
You’ll need a permission slip if your parent is not attending for the entire weekend.   Either print and bring it, or email or text it to Mr Miller.
 
The Scouts attending are listed here.
 
On Sunday, we’ll return to either the church or PRS school depending on how early we can get back.   We’ll send a message on WhatsApp with a more accurate time Sunday morning.
 
Let me know if you have any questions.   See you soon!
Mr Miller
860 794 2255
 

Troop Meeting on 4/22/2026

Posted on Apr 22 2026 - 10:06pm

The scouts had an excellent meeting completing some preparations before our April campout this weekend. Here are some announcements from the meeting:

-During this meeting, the scouts planned menus for the upcoming campout

  • If you are going on the campout and have NOT signed up for it online, make sure to do so
  • Make sure to purchase your assigned foods before the campout.

-Information about summer camp has been posted, please review the information in WhatsApp and see if you are interested. Payments for summer camp need to be made by next week if you want to qualify for the early bird discount. For Merit Badge selection for summer camp, look online on the JNW website to find the merit badge schedule sheet, print the sheet, and circle the merit badges you would like to take. Write your name on your sheet, and either give it to Mr. Miller in person or send a photo of it online. Make sure to submit these papers as soon as possible before programs fill up

-We have 3 new Patrols that have now formed after the new leadership team elections.

  • Galactic Ninjas: Inspired by outer space, the Galactic Ninjas, formerly the Jaguars, have now taken this rebranding and are ready to pursue scouting.
  • Dairy Queen Radioactive Blizzards: This patrol, formerly the GOATS Patrol, is now rebranding as a second era of the original Dairy Queen Radioactive Blizzards, which was an original patrol in the 2023-2024 school year. They are ready to live up to the legacy of the original DQRB!
  • NOVA Legion: The NOVA Legion stands for the Nova Omnipotens Vis Aeterna. This Latin name translates to the "New-all powerful eternal force Legion". This patrol is ready to cement itself as all-powerful and show domination of scouting.

BSA Troop # 186

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