Troop 101 Alumni Update - July 2026

The Troop 101 Update - 2026

When we discontinued the Alumni Quarterly, several people reached out and asked, "How can we stay informed?" It was great to hear from you, and we definitely want to keep everyone in the know.

2026 has been going well for Troop 101. Even as Scouting shrinks nationally, we have maintained a strong troop and currently stand at about 30 members. Unfortunately, other troops in the area have not fared as well, and we are hearing more often about troops folding or merging.

The reasons are varied. There are more offerings from schools, churches, and other clubs. Costs are rising for those programs and for Scouting. Parent schedules vary much more with the current generation, and there is also the ever-present draw of video games and the internet.

The times continue to change, but we remain hopeful when we hear the laughter and see the fun these young men have while camping in the great outdoors. Friendships are forming, memories are being made, and Scouters are returning to help the program we all love.

Volunteers needed

As I mentioned earlier, times have changed. We find ourselves in need of a few more volunteers to help keep Troop 101 running smoothly.

We are looking for people who can assist Vickie with Finances, help Ben with Advancement, and support other Troop Committee responsibilities. You do not need to be an expert-just someone willing to lend a hand and support the program.

The next Troop Committee meeting is July 29 at 6:30 p.m. Feel free to stop by and talk with our Committee Chairman, Chuck James, about how you might be able to help.

~30

Troop Members

46th

Spaghetti Dinner

101

Dinner Baskets

Jan

Sledding at Camp Beaumont

There was snow on the ground and Scouts flying downhill on sleds. From "Slider Dogs" for a snack to smiling faces drinking tea and cocoa, it was great to see everyone enjoying the cold.

Feb

Winter Klondike at Camp Stambaugh

The competition was on. Sleds were built, and points were earned for the evening auction. Our Scouts brought home some new cast iron and celebrated back in camp. Due to the extreme cold, the troop chose to return home Saturday night.

Mar

"Hunger Games" at Chickagami

We camped near the location of the old dining hall. The Scouts put together a "Hunger Games" themed trip, and we pulled out the smoker for a brisket dinner for the winning patrol. The games were fun, and the adult-versus-youth tug-of-war resulted in some epically muddy laughter.

Also in March: It was time for our 46th Annual Spaghetti Dinner. Several alumni attended, and it was great seeing everyone. There were 101 baskets!

Apr

A new destination: Firelands

We explored westward to Firelands Scout Reservation. We took a bike trip in the morning and returned to camp for an epic game of Human Foosball. It is definitely a camp the troop will consider again.

May

Snowy hikes at Cook Forest

Cook Forest was going to be a canoeing trip, but when it started snowing, we shifted to hiking. It was great to see the old-growth forest and climb the fire tower. Later in May, we decorated graves at Oakwood Cemetery, continuing an annual tradition.

Jun

Canoeing at Pymatuning

We were at Pymatuning for canoeing, and family members joined us for a delicious camp feast.

Summer camp spotlight

The PLC asked us in late 2025 whether there were other summer camps we could consider for 2026. Some of the youth said it simply did not feel fun anymore, and they called it "Bummer Camp."

First, I want to note that Manatoc has taken notice and made many promising strides and improvements. This year, however, Troop 101 headed to Beaumont Scout Reservation for summer camp - or, as the Scouts called it, "Funner Camp."

The Scouts were allowed to use their bikes on the property, making travel between activities quick. Staff members and other troops seemed friendly and eager to have us there. There was a zipline over the lake, an ATV program, and more. Reviews from the Scouts were very positive.

Will this be the end for us at Manatoc? I do not think so, but it may be for now because there is no desire from the youth to return. I have seen some improvements planned for the camp, and they could help entice a future generation when the time comes. In the end, the PLC will ultimately decide.

Coming up next

Crew 101

Dedicated readers will recall that the Venture Crew has restarted. Finding recruits from outside the troop has proven difficult, so if you know young men or women between ages 14 and 21, please send them our way at Crew101.net .

In June, the Crew traveled to the Summit for a week of whitewater on the "New River Experience." This 50-mile paddle trek on the New River took them through Class I-III rapids in inflatable kayaks. On the final day, they traveled through the Lower Gorge in a raft on Class III-IV rapids.

It was an exciting trip that ended with memories, stories, and a little sunburn. The Crew is already considering other potential trips to Sea Base, Northern Tier, and back to both Philmont and the Summit.

High adventure

I am still dreaming about Philmont - and who would not be? Troop 101 took two crews in July 2025, and if you ask around, they are still talking about it. One of them even took things a little further.

Indy M. returned to Philmont for Rayado. If you are not familiar with it, Rayado is an ultimate test offered by Philmont and described as a test of leadership, grit, and backcountry mastery. It is a three-week expedition. I wanted to give Indy a special shout-out, as it has been described as a challenging experience - and one that was well worth it.

In talking with Indy, he described it as a challenging experience, bragged about his blisters, and claimed he "Locked in" after a challenging day and had a blast! He hopes to convince others to head out to Philmont for Rayado.

Help Wanted

Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 8:00 am–7:00 pm

Troop 101 Scout Center

People often ask, "How can we help?" Most of the time, we do not need much in-person help beyond joining us for camping and activities. For those who really want to lend a hand, however, we have an opportunity.

We will be installing insulation at the Scout Building. The more hands we have, the faster the work will go. We will need to move items away from the walls, add insulation, and complete related work. Ladders, staplers, and perhaps a spare drill or two may help us finish everything we have planned.

Please let us know if you will be there so we can plan accordingly.

While the walls are open and we have the opportunity, we will also be looking to add outlets and run Ethernet cable. Ideally, I would like to upgrade the Scout Building's Wi-Fi service to a more enterprise-grade UniFi system from Ubiquiti.

To support everything long-term, I am looking to spend about $1,500. The last couple of times I upgraded the Wi-Fi, I donated everything. Anyone who would like to help offset this expense is encouraged to reach out.

Additionally, our 3 main computers are now over 10 years old. (Finance PC, Advancement PC, Conference PC). I'm looking to replace these All-In-One machines with something newer if you have something you'd like to donate, or send money towards purchasing new machines.

Save the Date

Coming Up Next

The Troop 101 Store is back online and now available. We even have a new item: Troop 101 leather belts. Whether you wore the uniform last year or decades ago, they are a useful way to carry a little Troop 101 pride wherever the trail leads.

Stop by the online store to see the Merch Sale items for this years' sale. It is another simple way to stay connected to the troop and grab some stylish swag.