►Summer camp.  Camp has just concluded.  Steve Alspaugh, Jay Clifford and their team did an outstanding job.  Our troop completed 68% of the merit badges they attempted.  The camp counsellors were very impressed as this one of the highest percentages they've seen. Kevn Strunk worked hard with several of the scouts on their Firecrafter requirements and did a great job.  Many thanks to the parents who took time out of their summer to attend camp as adult leaders.  We couldn't do this without you.
►Troop Leadership Development (TLD) will take place on July 10-12 at Larryland.  Invitations to qualified scouts have been mailed and we've had a great response.  Sorry, we cannot accommodate extra adults at this outing.  Digger Cislak has offered to organize an outdoor weekend at Turkey Run or some other nearby location for those who are interested.  Please contact Digger if you want to participate.  TLD is run by Rick Valdiserri.  Rick is a professional in the field of executive coaching and leadership training.  The seminar he presents for our scouts rivals the corporate leadership training many of us are used to.  This is Rick's fourth year as the primary presenter at this event and the reviews from the scouts just get better every year.  Rick donates his time to the Troop in exchange for a few hours of free time at Larryland to wet his fishing line.  Please feel free to contact Rick at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call him at 317-363-8059.  Many thanks to our hosts, Larry and Ann Lazarz for allowing us to invade their country retreat for the weekend.  It is a great venue for this event and their hospitality is legendary.  Look for changes to some of the leadership fulfillment requirements that will be posted soon.
►One of our own joins the Priesthood.  Chris Wadelton, Eagle Class of 1984, will be ordained as a Catholic Priest on Saturday, June 27 at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.  Chris has taken the twelfth point of the Scout Law (quiz: what is it?) to new heights.  Our congratulations to Chris.  Father Wadelton will be stationed at Holy Spirit Parish on the east side (not Geist).  Feel free to send him a note of congratulations and best wishes.  With any luck, we'll be able to renew the tradition of Mass on Saturday night at hikes to the extent that Father Chris' schedule permits.  God bless, Chris.
►Calendar.  We should have calendar dates up soon.  We are still trying to finalize a few dates.  Be patient. 
►Rank Advancement. All Scouts and Parents should read the requirements for rank advancement in the "For Candidates" section in the left column of this page. Eagle candidates must read the Eagle Application. 

This upcoming scout year is going to be another fun and exciting year as we continue the 60 year tradition of Troop 174.

The goals for the upcoming year are simple and unchanged. We look forward to developing the character and citizenship of our scouts while providing a learning environment for outdoor skills. All of our efforts are centered around the principal that scouting should be a fun, enjoyable outdoor experience. Scouting and the Troop 174 experience will provide the opportunity for a scout to become a self-confident leader, good citizen in the community and above all, a fine young man.

We welcome all new parents and volunteers, and appreciate all that our current volunteers do for the Troop. If you have any input or ideas as we go forward with this year, please let us know.