Channahon Boy Scout Troop 444

06/12/2026

Merit badge of the week!

Farm Mechanics

From a simple shovel and hoe to massive modern harvesters, farms use millions of dollars worth of equipment. The efficiency of these machines gets better and better every year. The downside is this equipment needs maintenance. A lot of maintenance. And it doesn't last forever, eventually needing major repairs. This is where we come in when we work on this merit badge. We learn about the safety equipment and tools required to repair these intricate machines. We become aware of how power is created and transferred to the business end of power and towed implements. We try our hand at designing and organizing a shop, whether it be a dealership or a back 40 pole barn. Then we take a visit to a real life farm implement manufacturer repair facility and get a good look at what it takes to fix these behemoths.

Dirty hands = Clean money. And you'll be privileged to both in this industry!

Open your blue card, grab your tools and start getting your hands dirty today!!

06/05/2026

A short but productive spring Court of Honor tonight. Had a few rank ups, a bunch of merit badges, Paul Bunyon awards, 3 Eagle announcements, and an ASM that completed his Angling Instructor training! Good work guys!!!
Thanks goes out to Mrs. Kovar for being our photographer for the night.

05/29/2026

Our last meeting before summer Court of Honor. We worked on some simulated water rescues!

05/25/2026

Out putting boots on the ground to honor our fallen heroes.

05/24/2026

Merit badge of the week!

Truck Transportation

Our economy needs people to buy things. People that buy things need people to sell those things to them. People that sell things need people to make the things they sell. People that make the things need material to produce those things. All those steps require people to deliver things to and from each step. This is where truck transportation enters the chat. This merit badge has us defining the critical role trucking plays within commerce. We learn the difference between gas and diesel engines, and where the attributes of each are best utilized. We learn about at least 5 different types of trucks, and what type of freight they specialize in. We even get hands on with arranging a shipment and controlling every aspect of its journey from point A to point B.

Breaker breaker 19. Open your blue card, and get Eastbound and down with this one today! Over!

05/22/2026

Flag retirement ceremony. What a perfect way to honor Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

That's what we're talking about! Our Cubbie friends were out and working hard to make our community a beautiful place to live. Nice work Cubs!

05/20/2026

The ticks are awful this year! Wear bug spray with DEET in it. Use permethrin (follow the directions carefully) on your clothes and gear. Be comfortable enough with your adventure buddies to let them check you throughout the day. If you find one attached, grab it with tweezers as close to your skin as possible and gently but persistently pull until it releases. Do not twist, and do not use heat!!
Just a friendly outdoorsy PSA from your friends at Troop 444!

Emergency department visits for tick bites have reached the highest rate in nearly 10 years, and experts are already warning that we could be in "for a very bad year" when it comes to these pests.

Here's when you should seek care for a tick bite: https://tinyurl.com/478vz969

05/12/2026

We spy with our beady little eyes one of our scouts excelling out in the wild. Ben Pierce has made the news once again!

Eight Minooka High School students sat down to a recognition breakfast Thursday, May 7, each nominated by teachers who saw something exceptional — dedication, improvement, character, or pure excellence.