Scout Troop 159 forges ahead during pandemic

A good Scout knows how to "Be Prepared."

Boy Scout Troop 159 is living that motto during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing Scout Fun Kits, virtual meetings, rank advancements and a new YouTube channel.

Before the state went into its stay-at-home order, troop leaders created Scout Fun Kits and dropped them on the doorstep of every Scout.

The kits contain items to complete ranks, such a knot rope; items for a lashing contest; and objects for a carving contest. The lashing contest winner will receive a folding, lock-blade pocketknife.

Most important, the Scouts need to continue connecting. The troop is hosting weekly Zoom meetings, complete with flag ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance and regular agenda items. After meetings conclude, some Scouts have stayed on until midnight just to keep in touch. A Troop Discord server is another way for them to meet.

Advancing ranks is the goal of many Scouts. While they can work independently with a merit badge counselor online, troops across the country are offering online merit badge workshops, such as the Central Florida Council.

Several of Troop 159's Scouts are taking advantage of these offerings to earn merit badges such as cooking and sustainability. Troop 159 even had its first Eagle Scout board of review remotely.

The troop's new YouTube channel gives members a creative outlet to share demonstrations such as cooking and knot tying, while offering service hours for Scouts for requirements.

Next up for this troop? A campsite contest from their own backyards.

Established in 1957, Troop 159 is chartered through St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights. It has a strong boy-led troop tradition, with more than 130 Eagle Scouts.

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