Author: Keenan Bush

Despite a broken crank, stuck brakes, a few wrong turns, and one bike that looked completely unfixable, the Scouts still pulled off another successful urban bike ride. The weather couldn’t have been better, making the miles go by faster. A donut stop gave everyone a much-needed energy boost, and after the ride, we made it […]

The troop enjoyed a great weekend at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Verde River. Scouts spent time fishing along the park’s lagoons, trying their luck at catching trout and catfish. In between fishing sessions, they worked on the Pioneering Merit Badge, learning essential skills like knot tying, lashings, […]

Our troop had an amazing adventure exploring Peppersauce Cave and camping in the beautiful foothills of Mt. Lemmon near Tucson. At first, we accidentally entered the wrong cave opening—quickly realizing it was far too tight to fit through! After finding the correct entrance, the Scouts ventured inside to discover the fascinating underground passages of Peppersauce. […]

The scouts embarked on an exciting campout to Flagstaff Extreme in Arizona, an adventure-filled high ropes course nestled among the pines of Flagstaff. They tested their strength, balance, and bravery on a variety of obstacles, with several scouts stepping up to complete the black course—the most challenging route in the park. Everyone cheered each other […]

The scouts had an exciting and adventure-filled week at Camp Geronimo. Throughout the week, they worked hard to earn merit badges for various activities. The scouts went on a hike and explored the outdoors together. One evening, they gathered for the Mogollon story — a fun and spooky tradition where they learned about the mysterious […]

Scouts traveled by plane and car to the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia for a week-long adventure. The Summit Bechtel Reserve is one of the four high adventure camps in the US. Summit offers unique and fun opportunities for scouts. Summit is located in the Appalachian Mountains and participates in a variety of high-adventure […]

Scouts and their families participated in placing flags on graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Arriving in time for the opening ceremony, we joined other Scouts from across the Valley to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. Wearing our Class A uniforms, we took part in this meaningful act of remembrance. It was a […]

Troop 653 scouts helped with a community service project at the postal office food drive, assisting in sorting donated food collected by mail carriers. Scouts and adults wore their Class B uniforms and worked hard while taking occasional breaks with cold water and snacks. This was the first time scouts supported the food drive in […]

Troop members had a great time at the Grand Canyon Council Yuma Canoe Run in Yuma. They spent the weekend canoeing over four miles down the Colorado River, with one adventurous boat even capsizing along the way. Scouts cooked and shared meals at their campsite, which they enjoyed alongside other visiting troops. It was a […]

The Scouts had an action-packed weekend biking the trails at McDowell Mountain, surrounded by stunning desert scenery and challenging terrain. Along the way, some Scouts tested their skills by taking on a small jump, adding an extra thrill to the ride. Back at camp, the group came together to cook delicious meals, practicing teamwork and […]