Past Events

Philmont is a massive scouting camp with over 140,000 acres of land, offering scouts the opportunity to plan their trips into the backcountry. Depending on your choice, you can spend 7, 9, or even 12 days on the trail, backpacking through mountains and navigating to your destination. Our troop chose our trek and embarked on our adventure with the help of a ranger who taught us skills like setting up bear bags. Our journey covered 28 miles. On the first day, we camped near a meadow and practiced our knots. The second day involved a steep hike to a staffed camp called Urakka, where we played a team-building game.

On the third day, we spotted a bear near our camp as we departed. The trail we planned to take wasn’t where it was marked on the map, so we found an alternate route to Miners Park, where we enjoyed rock climbing. The next day, we completed a service project, clearing a new trail. Following that, we hiked to the Tooth of Time, a challenging but rewarding trek with stunning views of the entire camp from the peak. Our final stop was Clarks Fork, where we had a delicious dinner prepared by the staff and rode horses before heading home. Philmont was an incredible experience, and everyone returned with cherished memories.

Check out all the photos here https://troop653.com/photos/

The Boy Scouts recently went on an exciting fishing trip to Black River. Many people last year didn’t get to catch a fish on a fly rod but this year they were able to. After a successful day of fishing, we gathered around the campfire and enjoyed a delicious meal of freshly fried fish. It was so much fun and the scouts were able to learn how to clean fish and cook them

The Boy Scout troop visited a bustling fish hatchery, where they learned about the fascinating process of breeding and raising fish to support local ecosystems. This hands-on experience opened the scout’s eyes to how the rivers are stocked.

The scouts had an amazing time at Feed My Starving Children. Feed my starving children is a non-profit organization where people can volunteer to help package food. This food is then shipped to other countries where it is needed. A quote from one of our adult leaders, “It was a great opportunity for the youth to participate and share in a labor of love!”

The scouts had an opportunity to prepare Camp Geronimo for summer and give it some much-needed attention. Projects includes improving our normal campsite by painting the Adirondack shelter, addressing water drainage issues, and generally improving the campsite grounds. The Philmont trekkers also used this as a shakedown opportunity to test their backpacking equipment and go another another hike.

On this special day, scouts from around the world came together to read their own scriptures simultaneously, fostering a sense of global unity and spiritual reflection. On May 2nd, coinciding with the United States National Day of Prayer, troop members began their readings at 5:30 PM. Each participating scout read for 15 minutes, earning a unique and meaningful patch to commemorate their involvement. This shared experience not only deepened their individual faiths but also strengthened the bonds within the global scouting community.

Scouts took a journey around part of the Lake on canoes.  While mostly everyone stayed dry, there was one canoe that capsized. This was an opportunity to demonstrate the skills of flipping the canoe back over.

In our campsite the area was covered with invasive stinkweed. Stinkweed commonly known as globe chamomile and a member of the sunflower family, can grow more than 2 feet tall and is spreading in regions like Arizona, California, Nevada, Australia, and Mexico. Scouts and others need to know that during its winter growth period it’s important not to touch it as it can contribute to its spread. It’s also important to note that it releases volatile oils that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions upon contact. Additionally, it has a strong, unpleasant odor and can outcompete native plants, disrupting local ecosystems and leading to a reduction in biodiversity.

On Saturday night a powered paraglider appeared in the park and nearly crashed into the side of the Superstition Mountains from the up drafts.  After surviving this the powerglider flew over our campsite at a very low altitude close enough to nearly touch trees.

During a momentous solar eclipse that occurred during the school day, scouts later shared their observations of this celestial event using various safety devices and creative techniques. Some scouts and leaders used welding helmets, while others employed solar eclipse glasses to capture the stunning sight. Even normal sunglasses were used to capture a picture but not view as that would be unsafe. The Scoutmaster innovatively took a “sundog selfie,” reflecting the eclipse on his face. Parents participated by engaging others on how to view the eclipse safely through a kitchen strainer and other methods known as the pinhole method. This collective effort made the eclipse viewing a memorable educational experience for everyone involved and many scouts earned a special eclipse patch.

Boy Scout Troop 653 held a carwash fundraiser, and it was a big success. The scouts worked hard, washing dozens of cars and making them shine. Lots of people from the community came out to support them, and they raised money to help support their scouting adventures. Everyone had fun, and the troop worked together to achieve their fundraising goal. We are appreciative of the community support and our faithful local organization that hosts our car wash yearly. 

Boy Scouts and leaders from Troop 653 embarked on an exhilarating mountain bike ride, culminating in an overnight campout under the stars at McDowell Mountain Park. After a day of challenging trails and scenic views, the scouts divided into patrols to cook a hearty dinner. As night fell, we gathered around a crackling campfire sharing stories of the biking adventure. The next morning, they enjoyed a quick breakfast before packing up. It’s always great to share in physical activity, night’s rest and the shared experience of nature and friendship.