Introduction
BSA Scout Troop 89 is sponsored by St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Originally chartered in 1916, the unit has a long tradition of serving boys in the Mahtomedi area. The troop is active in the community and is proud of the partnership with St. Andrew’s Church. Troop meetings are held every Monday evening in the Great Hall of St. Andrews.
A Boy Led Troop
Troop 89 firmly believes in living out Scouting’s original goal: developing the boys into effective leaders. The elected boy leaders, known as the Patrol Leader Council (PLC), run the Troop alongside the elected Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), and their 2 assistants (ASPL). The PLC plans the Troop programs and leads the weekly meetings, the campouts and other events.
To assist in the development of leadership skills, a committee of adult leaders guide the scout leaders and provide oversight as needed. Adult leaders, including the Scout Master, Assistant Scout Masters, and other committee members and parents, are actively involved in all meetings and camping events.
Patrols
Essential to the scouts running the troop is the effective use of the patrol method. Patrols are a group of 5-8 scouts that work together and learn together. They often transition from Webelos as a patrol. This makes the scouting experience more enjoyable and worthwhile.
Camping
Developing outdoor living skills is a fundamental element of Troop 89’s program. We strive to offer at least 3 campouts in the spring and fall and a few during summer and winter. At these outings, scouts do a variety of activities, including patrol cooking and campfire activities. Scouts also work on rank advancement and merit badges.
Tomahawk
A highlight of the summer is the weeklong adventure at Tomahawk Scout Camp near Rice Lake, Wisconsin. The troop stays in tents at its own campsite and has meals served in a central dining hall. At Tomahawk, scouts work on rank advancement, outdoor skills, and fun activities including sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rifle shooting, archery, handicrafts, climbing and swimming at our campsite.
Service Projects
“Do a Good Turn Daily” is the Scout slogan. At Troop 89, we emphasize this and practice it by performing community service projects. Some specific examples of community service projects include roadside clean-up, collecting food for local food shelves, and wreath clean-up at Fort Snelling.