Boy Scout Troop 45, chartered by the American Lutheran Church in Milbank, celebrated 2026 Boy Scout Anniversary Week from February 1-7. Scouts across the nation also observe Scouting Sunday during the anniversary or any Sunday in February. The local scouts held their Blue and Gold celebration on February 8 –the traditional birthday of the Boy Scouts of America.
The anniversary week is Troop 45’s opportunity to be recognized by their charter, and more importantly, it’s a time for the troop members to recognize their charter. The Boy Scouts wore their uniforms and sat together during Sunday service and also served as greeters and ushers. After the service, the Scouts offered coffee and goodies to the congregation. Cub Scout Pack 38 was chartered by the Emanuel Lutheran Church, and the Cub Scouts donned their uniforms to serve coffee to the congregation there.
Troop 45 also spent the week gearing up for their February camping adventure – a weekend in a cabin at Camp Iyataka on Big Stone Lake Scoutmaster Ben Shelstad said, “Several of the boys are bringing friends to check out scouting and have some fun sledding, playing games, cooking, and more.”
The boys will, no doubt, be discussing some of the new official merit badges for 2025-2026 such as Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Experimental badges such as Auctioneering and Wildland Fire Management are also available for Scouts to earn and give their feedback on, although they do not count toward rank advancement yet.
“Parents don’t always realize scouting can be attended as a guest to “try it on for size” before deciding to join,” said Jeff Loutsch,committeeman and former scoutmaster. “Most people also don’t realize how inexpensive scouting really is and how much they get to do and experience. Scouting is a year-round place for youth to belong, have fun while learning life skills, and make lifelong friendships with people from all over.”
A favorite event for many Scouts is Spring Rendezvous. Spring Rendezvous is held annually the first weekend in May at Camp Iyataka. Scouts from all over the Sioux Council get together. The campers are busy from the sun-up flags until into the dark. They play games like Sniper, learn outdoor skills, and build and enjoy campfires. Cub Scouts join them on Saturday to shoot archery and BB guns, throw Tomahawks, and share other activities. Troop 45 is also making plans for their week-long summer camp adventure at Tomahawk Scout Reservation by Rice Lake in Wisconsin.
Fun, friendship, and lifelong learning and skills are all great reasons to join Boy Scouts. Scholarships are one more. Boy Scouts, particularly Eagle Scouts, are eligible for scholarships from the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA). High school seniors can receive scholarships ranging from $2,000 to over $50,000.
Want to join? Troop 45 is for kids in the middle of fifth grade to age 18. Contact Scoutmaster Ben Shelstad at 605.949.9170. Cub Scouts is for kids in kindergarten through the middle of fifth grade. Contact Cubmaster Derek Athey at 605.467.0133 or go to beascout.org
Submitted Photo: Local Scouts during Blue & Gold celebration Februaury 8.
Troop 45 Back row left to right: Lyn Hardy, Wade Falk, Ben Shelstad, Bocephus Shelstad, Nathan Drake, Jeff Loutsch, Peyton Bauer
Front row: Dewey Athey, Wyatt Dahl, Austin Dahl, Landon Athey, Noah Falk, Derek Athey
Staff
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