Troop 55 Houston

06/26/2019

Houston teen earns 138 merit badges, every one offered by Boy Scouts

https://abc13.com/5358948/?ex_cid=ShareNow

TOP SCOUT: 18-year-old Harry Goldberg joins rare company, earning every single merit badge offered by Boy Scouts of America.

05/04/2019

Galveston Campout - Service project, Coast Guard tour, beach swim, and handled gale force winds and rain last night! Scouts having fun!

04/10/2019

Aquila District Houston TX SHAC, BSA

Is your Eagle Scout graduating this year? Let him show off his hard work and dedication with these Eagle Scout Honor Chords. Available at your local Scout Shop....

12/18/2018

A Holiday Hole-in-One: Boy Scout builds miniature golf course to entertain Nora's Home guests - TMC News

http://www.tmc.edu/news/2018/12/a-holiday-hole-in-one-boy-scout-builds-miniature-golf-course-to-entertain-noras-home-guests/?fbclid=IwAR1zZTURKqeKXS8whkI2LS-Xj4cFj1FuOyQjHx9eAxmuUXBonX2frAbuItc

A Holiday Hole-in-One: Boy Scout builds miniature golf course to entertain Nora's Home guests - TMC News
Christmas came early for transplant patients and their families staying at Nora’s Home thanks to Jesse McMillan, a junior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston and member of the Boy Scouts of America.

In December, the 17-year-old and several of his classmates built a miniature golf course where guests can decompress from stressful medical circumstances.

This year, to earn the prestigious title of Eagle Scout, Jesse needed to complete a service project. It could have been anything—planting a garden in the community, collecting food and clothing or helping children—but Jesse knew he wanted to benefit people in the Texas Medical Center.

“I thought about some of my cousins. Their mom has breast cancer and they come to Houston for treatment a lot,” the teen said. “I thought about my cousin, Abbye, who had a heart transplant here in the medical center.”

Unfortunately, his cousin didn’t survive.

“She passed away about two years ago,” said Sally McMillan, Jesse’s mother. “She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure when she was 24 years old, had an LVAD ( left ventricular assist device) and then received a heart transplant, but it was too late.”

After raising $14,000 for his Eagle Scout project, Jesse initially set his sights on building a playground at one of the hospitals for the children of patients.

“I just thought about my cousins and other kids like that,” Jesse said. “If me and my family weren’t here, they wouldn’t have been able to go to fun places while they were here and I wanted something fun for people who are sick to be able to do.”

But Nora’s Home guest Ximena Hernandez who recently received a double-lung transplant at Texas Children’s Hospital had another idea for him. Because they live in Arlington, Texas, the 8-year-old and her mother stayed at Nora’s Home for eight months while awaiting the transplant and after the girl’s recovery.

“I wanted a putt-putt course so I could have more fun,” Ximena said. “It will be fun to go outside instead of staying in my room watching TV. I can go out and play with my mom now.”

Ximena spent years plagued by a progressive condition that decreased her mobility.

“Bronchiolitis obliterans is similar to cystic fibrosis, but she wasn’t born with it. She got it when she was 6 years old,” Ximena’s mother, Leticia Jamie, explained. “She was having trouble breathing. It got so bad she was in a wheelchair, her bones were weak and she couldn’t do any of the activities other kids her age were doing.”

The six-hole course was built by Jesse and his friends in one day and has adjustable materials to make each hole more or less challenging for players.

Watch the course construction here: Nora’s Home miniature golf timelapse video

http://www.tmc.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/Noras-Home-put-put-timelapse.mov

“I was going to build the course from scratch, but then we found a company, Adventure Golf, that makes the holes individually and you can customize them,” Jesse said. “They sent us the holes in a bunch of little boxes and we had to put them all together.”

Just days after the course was built, Ximena was back in town for a check-up and was the first person to play . This also was her first time golfing.

“People can really do more than they think. I never thought I would be able to build a golf course like that, but being able to see a project all the way through is something I think everyone should at least have an opportunity to do,” Jesse said. “I don’t know what my cousins would have done if they couldn’t stay at our house. This didn’t exist at the time so I’m really happy I was able to build this for the patients here.”

Christmas came early for transplant patients and their families staying at Nora’s Home thanks to Jesse McMillan, a junior at...

10/12/2018

Nicolas Thompson Eagle Project:
Nicolas Thompson needs your help with his Eagle Project: Nicolas has organized a concert at St. John the Divine for Friday, October 19, 7-9pm, benefitting the students of San Francisco Nativity Academy of Houston. His concert will raise funds for musical instruments at this non-tuition-based private Christian school serving low income students preK-3 through grade 8.

Here’s how you can help:

1 - Attend the concert. Price of admission is a cash donation of $5 or more, or a gift card of any amount from amazon.com or casiomusic.com. Bring your gift card or cash donation to the concert.

2 - Volunteer the day of the concert from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Nicolas needs scouts to help greet, hand out programs and usher. Adults are needed to handle donations.

3 - Help cover Nicolas’ $600 event expenses by writing a check to Troop 55, memo line: Nicolas Thompson’s Eagle Project, and send to Nicholas Thompson 4155 Meyerwood Dr. Houston, TX 77025. San Francisco Nativity Academy will receive any surplus.

4 - Distribute posters. On Saturday, October 13th from 2pm - 5pm, scouts will meet at St. John's to help distribute the posters. One or two adult drivers are needed to help transport the scouts to various poster drop off locations.

If you’d like to volunteer, contact Nicolas at [email protected]. Please send Nicolas an email to let him know if you are available either of those 2 days.

09/18/2018

Thank you to River Oaks Living Magazine for featuring Troop 55! Andy Dearwater designed the beautiful Enchanted Rock artwork.

Boy Scout Troop 55 has a long history in our community. Troop 55 originally meet in 1933 at River Oaks Elementary School and moved over to The Church of St. John the Divine in 1939, where it has remained.

This year, Troop 55 will celebrate its 85th Anniversary, highlighted by a gala dinner and auction on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the Junior League of Houston. Not only will we commemorate our 85 years, we will raise funds for scholarships and honor ten Troop 55 volunteers Ken Alexander, James Cauble, Ned Graber, Pete Koinis, Kathy Lake, The Rev. Dr. Doug Richnow, D.C. Toedt, Tracy Walne, Charles Williams and Dick Yale. For more information about the gala, go to www.troop55.org

09/18/2018

Aggie Eagle Program

Troop 55's Eagle Scout Christian participated in the Aggie Eagle Program (AEP) this past weekend and marched in the football parade! The AEP offers high school juniors and seniors and transfer students who are Eagle Scouts a first-hand experience with the Corps of Cadets. AEP is offered once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester. https://corps.tamu.edu/portfolio-items/aggie-eagle-program/ While at AEP, students will:

Meet current cadets and learn about their experiences in the Corps
Stay in the Corps dorms on campus
Meet Eagle Scouts in the Corps and from other high schools
Learn about the university admissions process, financial aid, scholarships and academic support
Attend an A&M sporting event – football in the fall or basketball/baseball in the spring (subject to scheduling and ticket availability)
Attend a recognition ceremony

09/16/2018

The Wolf Patrol was the first patrol in the 85 years of Troop 55 to earn the National Patrol Award!

09/16/2018

Troop 55 Leader Bill Curtis received the Wood Badge at the September Court of Honor.

09/16/2018

Troop 55 Scout Elliot received the Den Chief Service award at the September Court of Honor.

09/16/2018

September Court of Honor Eagles and their families! Congratulations to all!

09/08/2018

Scouting magazine

Scouting magazine

For some troops, the trailer is an essential piece of Scouting gear. For others, like Troop 55, it's unnecessary.

09/05/2018

Our newest Eagle Scouts take the Oath!

08/24/2018

Houston Community ToolBank Tour

Houston Community ToolBank Tour

We took a tour of the Houston Community ToolBank. This is a great resource for Eagle Scout projects and community service projects. The ToolBank is a nonprofit tool lending program serving other nonprofits by putting high-quality tools in the hands of the volunteers. For three pennies on the dollar,...

08/17/2018

Post Oak defeats Rhode Island in Little League World Series opener

Scout Ryan Selvaggi!
@theboyscoutsofamerica
Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of AmericaSOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — David Rook does not think his Post Oak team is the type to lose a 1-0 game, even at the Little League Baseball World Series.
Ryan Selvaggi, with plenty of pitching help from Carter Pitts and batting help from Justin Michaelis, proved his manager to be correct.
Selvaggi drove in the tying run, scored the winner and made sure it held up Thursday night when Post Oak made its World Series debut with a 3-1 victory over New England Regional champion Coventry, Rhode Island.
Pitts did not allow a walk or earned run while striking out six in 41/3 innings to get the win. Selvaggi finished off the combined two-hitter, striking out the game's final two batters with a runner on third base to earn the save.https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Post-Oak-defeats-Rhode-Island-in-Little-League-13162448.php

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Ryan Selvaggi drove in the tying run, scored the winner and made sure it held up Thursday night when Post Oak opened the Little League Baseball World Series with a 3-1 victory over Coventry, Rhode Island.

08/17/2018

Twin Bayou District, Sam Houston Area Council

Twin Bayou District, Sam Houston Area Council

Congratulations to Zig Werlla and Dale Fitz!

http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/silver-beaver-recipients-2018-08-16

08/07/2018

Troop 55 will host its 85th anniversary with a gala dinner and silent auction on November 15, 2018 at the Junior League of Houston. We will celebrate the long history of scouting at St. John the Divine and honor ten Troop 55 volunteers. The honorees are Ken Alexander, James Cauble, Ned Graber, Pete Koinis, Kathy Lake, The Rev. Dr. Doug Richnow, D.C. Toedt, Tracy Walne, Charles Williams and Dick Yale.

08/05/2018

July 2018 Eagle Scout Court of Honor - Congratulations Nicholas, Jacob and Christian!

07/26/2018

Israel

07/23/2018

Ein Geti waterfalls

07/23/2018

Israel trip: In Jerusalem outside a mausoleum, Shiloah pool just outside the water tunnels in Jerusalem, Ammunition Hill, Sunrise at the top of Masada, at the Masada

07/21/2018

T55 at the Western Wall.

07/21/2018

T55 Arrives in Israel.

07/08/2018

This summer, Life Scout Pierce Ederle completed his Eagle Scout Project. Joined by several members of Troop 55 and their families, he improved an outdoor learning area at St. Francis Episcopal School, where he went to middle school. Pierce and his team tore down an old footpath entryway that had fallen into disrepair, replacing it with a sturdy wooden arbor. Additionally, they planted native Texas plants in the vicinity and refurbished a well-used walkway with crushed granite.

Pierce was delighted to receive the following note from the headmaster of the school the week after the project was completed: "I wanted to send you a note of my appreciation to you for your Eagle Scout project at St. Francis Episcopal School. The new entry way into the outdoor classroom looks phenomenal. We will make sure that it stays that way!”

Pierce expresses his appreciation to all those who came out on hot summer days to help his project be a success!

06/12/2018

Camp Daniel Boone - Monday

The high adventure crew took off to hike the Art Loeb Trail in the morning through Thursday and the boys in base camp set out, with their handy schedules on lanyards around their necks, to begin their merit badge classes. In the late afternoon, many boys went fishing in the lake and stream and some even caught and cooked us appetizers called, “Cheetos crusted fish” before dinner. At night, we hiked up “cardiac ridge” to visit Boones Borough. While up there, we sampled cheer “wine”, home made root beer, kettle corn and pork rinds as well as witnessed local blacksmith demonstrations and practiced tomahawk throwing. We closed the night with an all camp campfire opening dance, ceremony and stories.🔥It was a great day for sure!

06/10/2018

Camp Daniel Boone - Day 1
Our first week of Troop 55 Summer Boy Scout Camps has begun at Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina! Saturday morning, 52 uniformed scouts and leaders gathered at 5AM at IAH and took off for North Carolina. We arrived, made a quick stop at Chick Filet 🐔for lunch and then loaded vans for the additional 3 hour drive to camp. Upon arrival at CDB, we took the swim test🏊🏻‍♂️ in the lake, had dinner in the mess hall and set up tents at our troop site. Everyone paired up with a tent ⛺️ buddy and slept well in preparation for a great 👍🏻 morning hike 🌲and visit to sliding rock Sunday.👣

06/06/2018

06/06/2018

Our newest class of Eagle Scouts! Congratulations Michael, Jonathon, Alexander and Lorn

06/03/2018

Senior Eagle Scouts

Senior Eagle Scouts

St. John the Divine’s Boy Scout Troop 55 honored their senior Eagle Scouts at a candle-lighting ceremony led by Scoutmasters Emeritus Ken Alexander and Dick Yale. Pictured (from left) are Stuart Whiteside, Michael Bouvier, Michael Urdahl, Collins Simpson, Jonathan Riley, Michael Revis, Tommy Lykos...

05/08/2018

Troop 55's exciting visit to the Coast Guard base!

Photo one: Coast Guard Cutter Benjamin Dailey. The brand new ship happened to be in port. Her homeport is in Mississippi. Check out the cannon on the foredeck.

Photo two: Scouts talk to a coast guard member about the 45 foot response boat and their missions.

Photo three and four: Scouts are trying their hand at the station's damage control trainer. Pumps and leaky pipes spray water all over the place, while you try to figure out how to plug (or at least slow down) the leaks using damage control supplies.

Photo five: Heaving line competition. Scouts tried throwing a heaving line at a target.

04/25/2018

04/23/2018

Scouts enjoyed Troop 55’s Space Race Booth at the Scout Fair. April 14, 2018.

04/09/2018

This weekend's campout and paddling adventure (with unexpected midnight storm, cold & wind all day thrown in to make it challenging). Our Scouts were prepared!

03/07/2018

4 New Eagle Scouts tonight!

02/20/2018

Tuesday, February 20th - This evening’s parent talk, led by Troop 55’s Advancement Committee Chair Amy Barnes, will provide an overview of advancement in the BSA Boy Scout program. Parent Talk starts promptly at 7pm, in Room 236 (the SJD Youth Room). Bring pen and paper for notes and borrow your son’s handbook, so you can look through it during the presentation.