Last weekend, our troop visited the USS Iowa. There, we received a tour of a few of the numerous rooms aboard the ship. Among some of those we visited were the war room, where strategic decisions would be made, the kitchen and mess, and the room President Franklin D. Roosevelt resided in while being transported to a conference between the United States, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. We even got to see the bathtub that was installed to accommodate Roosevelt during his journey.

After the tour, we went back to the mess for dinner and got to sleep in the bunks used by the sailors throughout the many years that this ship has been in service. Visiting this historic battleship was an unforgettable experience that not only provided us with a glimpse into the lives of those who served aboard this ship but also allowed us to have fun while doing so.​

This weekend, our scouts took a trip to the channel islands for a backpacking trip. They had to take a ferry to the island, and there, the scouts hiked around the island. They saw shores and wildlife throughout their trip.

Recently, our troop visited Calico for a camping trip. There the boys did some hikes around abandoned mineshafts and caves in the area. They visited one of the historic towns nearby. Additionally, they launched model rockets for the Space Exploration merit badge. Overall, it was a fun experience!

This weekend, our troop participated in our council's camporee. Its a camping trip where many troops from throughout the council gather together for a weekend of fun competitive scout games. Everybody put in their best efforts for the games and activates. At the end of the day, our troop won the the troop shovel, and everyone had a lot of fun!

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!

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!