Our core mission, and that of Scouts, B.S.A., has not changed much over the years. Character development of young men through a robust, boy-lead outdoor program of
camping, hiking, fishing, and more.
“The boys decide what to do and where to go. It’s always been like that and it will always be like that,” says current scoutmaster and Troop 16 alum Andrew Lennie.
What’s enabled our success is a continuity in leadership. In the last 38 years, the Troop has had just 4 Scoutmasters. “We have a very committed group of trained volunteer adults who take pride in helping deliver a safe and effective program,” says assistant scoutmaster Andrew Campbell.
Troop 16 meets most Friday nights during the school year (unless we’re camping) from 7:30-9:00pm at the home of our longtime sponsoring organization, First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street.
Key to the success is the outdoor program. The Troop camps 11 months a year, including weekend trips to state parks, weeks-long sleep-away camp experiences, and “high adventure” treks to the Boundary Waters, Colorado, and even Alaska.
“Spending time in outdoors has been shown to improve attention span, lower stress, reduce obesity, and increase empathy and cooperation,” says Dr. Chris Clardy, a Troop 16 assistant
Scoutmaster and local pediatrician.
If you want your son to experience the great outdoors, learn leadership skills, and become a better citizen, there is no better choice the the Boy Scout program as carried out by Troop 16.
The Troop is currently looking for boys in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade to join and has several events upcoming where boys and parents can find out more information; including a home made ice cream night, a “Day at the Dunes,” and a kickball and coffee event. A list of those
events is at www.Troop16OakPark.com
