Family camp is a camping trip where we get to bring our family, our own gear and food, and get to relax. It's not a trip about doing rank advancements or merit badges, but instead it's about hanging out with your friends and family while camping! Everybody had so much fun while fishing and cooking. We got to go on a hike, go fishing, and had a potluck. There was also a tree that was super fun to climb! We did have to leave a day early becuause of the approaching hurricane, but we had just enough time to have a lot of fun!

This weekend, we held our Advancement Weekend. This is a 2 day camp-out that focuses on ranking up the younger scouts and providing a teaching experience for the older scouts. Once we got to the sight, we set up our tents, had dinner, and went to bed. The next morning, we were up at 6:30 to have breakfast and begin our advancements. A little bit after lunch, we had a water fight and had a lot of fun! Everybody got to advance either their rank or their teaching skills and had a great time doing it! 

For a whole week, our troop went to Camp Emerson for our annual summer camp. There, we were able to talk to other troops, play games, swim, complete merit badges, and more! We also got to preform skits infront of everybody at one of the campfires! The food was delicious and everybody had a great time playing Gaga Ball in their free time. In the end, everyone got to complete merit badges which helps them advance their rank and had a very fun time! Thank you Camp Emerrson for giving us a great summer camp!

Memorial Day Flags is always a huge honor for out troop. This is an event in which our Scout troop go to the National Cemetery in Los Angeles on Memorial Day Weekend to pay our respects to those who have fallen and given their lives for our freedom. From 6:15 AM to a little bit before noon, the scouts from all different troops placed American flags on the graves of the fallen, got the oprotunity to speak to those who have served in the military, and paid their respects. Our troop had a great time honoring those who have served in the military and those who have sacraficed their lives for a brighter future.

​Last Thursday Troop 985 had the honor of participating in Pack 710’s bridging ceremony. If you are unfamiliar with what a bridging ceremony is, it is when a Cub Scout Pack holds an event where the members advance to the next rank. This is symbolized typically by crossing a small bridge placed on a stage. For Webelos 2, the next rank is Boy Scouts! So, we were invited over to receive some members who chose to go to 985. The four new scouts will be joining the Cowboys patrol and the Vikings patrol. What is cool is that Pack 710 was the pack that I came from! It was cool to see some of the leaders again that I saw when I was there. In the end, it was a great pleasure to accept the new scouts into out Troop and we hope that they enjoy it here!

​On May 13th, Whittier celebrated the day that it was founded! This event is called “Founder’s Day.” Whitter was founded in 1887 by Quaker settlers. To celebrate the anniversary of being founded, the people of Whitter gather in the town square and set up booths showing their local businesses. We were there in our booth recruiting new people for our troop. In our booth, we taught people how to make lanyards out of a type of tough, string. Also, Troop 985, Troop 2019, and Troop 841 had the honor of conducting the flag ceremony to mark the beginning of Founder’s Day. All in all, it was very fun to make lanyards, be in the flag ceremony, and reflect of the founding of Whittier. 

​We just held Troop 985’s annual spaghetti dinner which serves as a fundraiser for our troop as well as a delicious dinner for the community! The tickets were $5 and included a full dinner and dessert. The food was donated by troop families and was greatly appreciated! The scouts served the food by waiting tables, taking orders, and bringing the food to the people. This gave them a great learning experience of what it is like to have a real job at a restaurant. Overall, everybody had a fantastic time eating delicious food and supporting our Boy Scout troop!

This Sunday after Camp'O'Ree was Sebastian Flores' Eagle Ceremony! ​Sebastian recently earned the Eagle Scout rank and was honored and recognized in this ceremony. Making the Eagle rank is truly a trying challenge that only those who put the hard work in can achive. Sebastian proved that he was worthy of the rank and we congratulate him on earning it! 

Boy Scout Troop 985 recently attended a Harry Potter themed camporee, where they had the opportunity to participate in a variety of magical activities inspired by the beloved book series. The event was attended by hundreds of scouts from different troops, all eager to immerse themselves in the magical world of Harry Potter.

But the highlight of the camporee for Troop 985 came in the form of a special prize: the magic wand. In the world of Boy Scouts, the magic wand is the equivalent of the all-mighty shovel, a coveted prize that symbolizes the troop's mastery of camping skills and outdoor survival. Troop 985 had their eyes set on the magic wand from the beginning, and they knew that winning it would require not just skill, but also a great deal of perseverance and determination.

To win the magic wand, the troop had to compete in a series of Harry Potter themed challenges that tested their knowledge of the series and their ability to work as a team. The challenges included a potions class, a trivia quiz, and a scavenger hunt, all of which required the scouts to use their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork to succeed.

Despite facing fierce competition from other troops, Troop 985 emerged victorious in the magic wand challenge. They were overjoyed to receive the prize, which they proudly displayed for all to see. The magic wand represented not just their victory in the camporee, but also their dedication to the values of scouting, including teamwork, perseverance, and leadership.

Overall, the Harry Potter themed camporee was a magical experience for Troop 985. They had the opportunity to compete with other scouts, make new friends, and test their skills in a fun and creative way. The event also reminded them of the power of imagination, and the importance of pursuing their dreams and passions with courage and determination.

As the scouts of Troop 985 returned home from the camporee, they knew that they had not just won a prize, but also gained a valuable experience that would stay with them for years to come. They were proud of their achievement, but also grateful for the camaraderie and support of their fellow scouts, which made the victory all the sweeter. For Troop 985, the magic wand was not just a trophy, but a symbol of their commitment to scouting and their love for Harry Potter, and they were thrilled to have it in their possession.  Everybody had a great time and in the end. Thank you to all of those involved with making Camp'O'Ree possible!

Recently, we had our Junior Leadership Training, or JLT, meeting for scouts who gained a leadership position in the troop. The purpose of this meeting is to train the leaders so that they have an understanding of their responsibilities of how to fulfill their position.  Congratulations to David D. as our new Senior Patrol Leader!