Prickly Pear District - Montana Council Scouting America

10/19/2026

A huge thank you to United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area for supporting Scouting in our community! 💙 Your generosity helps us provide more opportunities for local youth to build character, develop leadership skills, and become the next generation of community leaders. We’re grateful for partners who believe in investing in our kids and our future! ⚜️

That about wraps up our post-SeptemberFest activities! 🎉

We’re proud to present a donation to Scouting America: Helena Council, made possible by the Calcutta Auction on Friday night of SeptemberFest.

With so many incredible nonprofit partners doing wonderful things in our community, it’s hard to pick just one! So, we randomly selected a partner nonprofit to receive a portion of the auction proceeds.

Congratulations to Scouting America: Montana Council, and thank you for being part of this year’s SeptemberFest! We’re grateful for all the amazing work you do in our community. 💙

09/29/2026

Help monitor and manage Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Montana by getting your deer, elk or moose tested this season. Testing is free and offered at various locations around the state.

In west-central Montana, during archery season you can bring your animal by the Missoula FWP office:
* Monday & Tuesday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
* Wednesday & Thursday, 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Or, take your own sample and mail it in.

Find out more: fwp.mt.gov/conservation/chronic-wasting-disease/get-your-animal-sampled

09/28/2026

A huge thank you to the Helena Independent Record for helping us share the story of Prickly Pear District’s Survive or Thrive Scouting Challenge with the Helena community!

Events like this give us an opportunity to introduce families to the skills, friendships, leadership, and adventure that Scouting offers. It’s show’s Helena that scouting is alive and going strong! We’re grateful for the Independent Record’s help in getting the word out and helping our community discover what Scouting is all about.

Thank you for helping us share Scouting with Helena!

For parents interested in scouting for your children, please DM us.
For adults who are interested is sharing their skills with the kids or volunteering in som way, please DM us. For any questions about scouting in Helena, please reach out to Genie Funk, District Executive at 405-nine42-9388 or [email protected]

Dozens of children and parents walked Memorial Park on Saturday setting up camp, learning safety best practices and more during the Survive or Thrive Scouting Challenge. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

09/27/2026

100+ new kids. 40 Scouts. 15 Volunteers. One incredible day of adventure!

The Prickly Pear District Survive or Thrive Scouting Challenge was an amazing success! More than 100 new kids came out to experience Scouting, take on challenges, and see what adventure is all about—and 16 Scouts stepped up to help make it happen.

It was such a pleasure talking with kids and parents throughout the event and sharing what Scouting has to offer families in the Helena community.

A huge THANK YOU to all of the adult leaders and Scouts who volunteered their time, knowledge, and energy. We truly could not have made this event a success without you!

Special thanks to:

🔹 Pack 4207 – Cubmaster Travis
🔹 Pack 4214 – Cubmaster Joe
🔹 Pack 4218 – Cubmaster Jenny
🔹 Pack 4236 – Charter Organization Representative Terry
🔹 Troop 207 – Activities Chair Rebekah
🔹 Troop 214 – Scoutmaster Doug, Assistant Scoutmaster Justin & Activities Chair Allison
🔹 Troop 217 – Assistant Scoutmaster Scott
🔹 Troop 218 – Scoutmaster Keith, Volunteer Maria
🔹 District Popcorn Kernel & Troop 218 Committee Chair – Shannon

From navigation and knots to camping, first aid, wilderness safety, hiking, and leadership challenges, our Scouts showed the community what Scouting is all about—learning by doing, building confidence, developing leadership, and having fun along the way!

👉 Did your child enjoy the challenge? Want to keep the adventure going? Send us a message or comment “SCOUTING” below, and we’ll help connect your family with a local Cub Scout Pack or Scouts BSA Troop.

And if you missed the event, it’s not too late! Scouting is open to new members throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made the day such a success. We hope to see many of those new faces around Scouting in Helena!

Prickly Pear District — building character, leadership, and adventure in our community.

09/21/2026

🌲 SURVIVE OR THRIVE SCOUTING CHALLENGE!🏕️

It's almost here... Think you have what it takes to outsmart our Scouts and Scouting leaders? Do you have skills to teach us? Come put your skills, and ours, to the test at the Prickly Pear District's Survive or Thrive Scouting Challenge!

📍 Memorial Park | Helena, MT
📅 Saturday, September 26
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎟️ FREE FAMILY EVENT — NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED!

Bring the whole family and challenge yourself at our hands-on Scouting stations! Test your knowledge, learn new skills, and see how you measure up against our experienced leaders and active Scouts.

CHALLENGE STATIONS INCLUDE:
🧭 Navigation & Orienteering
🪢 Knots & Rope Skills
🏕️ Camping Skills
🩹 First Aid
🌲 Wilderness Safety
🥾 Track and Trekking
⭐ Leadership Skills

Whether you're a seasoned Scout, a curious newcomer, or just looking for a fun family activity, ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! Come learn, compete, and discover what it takes to survive—or thrive—in the great outdoors.

🍿 SUPPORT SCOUTING!
Popcorn will be available for those who would like to support Scouting programs in the Prickly Pear District. Your support helps provide opportunities for youth to learn, grow, lead, and thrive!

Bring your family, bring your friends, and bring your adventurous spirit! We can't wait to see you at Memorial Park!

09/13/2026

🌟 Prickly Pear District at SeptemberFest! 🌟

What a fantastic day at United Way’s SeptemberFest! 💙

Prickly Pear District of Scouting America, Montana Council was excited to be part of this wonderful community celebration and grateful for the opportunity to bring a little Scouting fun, excitement, and adventure to the families who attended!

From games and hands-on activities to smiles, laughter, and a few new Scouting fans, we loved seeing families stop by, play, explore, and enjoy the day together. 🐾🏕️🎯

A huge THANK YOU to United Way for bringing our community together and giving local organizations like ours the opportunity to connect with families and share what we do.

We’re proud to be part of a community that believes in building stronger families, stronger kids, and stronger communities.

Until next time… Be Prepared! ⚜️

09/10/2026

🍿 POPcorn HAS ARRIVED! 🍿

Prickly Pear District Scouts are ready to get popping! 🎉

Scouts will be out in full force at area stores and throughout our communities, sharing some delicious popcorn and, more importantly, helping support the programs, adventures, and experiences that make Scouting possible.

When you purchase from a Scout, you’re doing more than buying a tasty treat—you’re investing in kids and helping provide opportunities for them to:
⭐ Learn leadership and responsibility
🏕️ Experience the outdoors and adventure
🤝 Build friendships and teamwork skills
🧭 Develop confidence, character, and life skills

So when you see a Scout with a popcorn table or hear that familiar “Would you like to support Scouting?”, please stop by and show your support!

Every purchase makes a difference. Every Scout matters. And every community that supports Scouting helps build a stronger future. 💙

🍿 Support our Scouts. Support Scouting. Support our kids!

09/08/2026

CAN YOU SURVIVE THE WILDS OF Montana Council, Scouting America?

Get ready for the Survive or Thrive Scouting Challenge!

📅 **Saturday, September 26, 2026**
⏰ **9:00 AM–12:00 PM**
📍 **Memorial Park | Helena, MT**
🎟️ **FREE EVENT!**

All area youth kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to take on the challenge!

Participants will test their skills at seven exciting stations:

🧭 Navigation
🪢 Knots
⛺ Camping
🩹 First Aid
🛡️ Outdoor Safety
🌿 Nature
🏕️ Leadership

Challenge yourself alongside Scouts and leaders from the Prickly Pear District of Montana Council, Scouting America. Challenges accommodate youth of different ages and skill levels, so whether you're new to Scouting or an experienced Scout, there’s a challenge waiting for you!

**Earn a certificate of completion with three different levels of achievement**
**Earn the Survive or Thrive 2026 patch**
**Pick up some Scouting America Popcorn**

Everyone will have a chance to SURVIVE—and an opportunity to THRIVE!

Bring your friends, bring your family, and come see what you can do!

08/07/2026

Looking for something to do indoors and away from the poor air quality? Not a scout....Don't know anything about Cub Scouts? No worries...

Vigilante District - Montana Council Scouting America has you covered. Take a short drive south to Vigilante Dino Discovery Day. This event is open to all children entering Kindergarten through 5th Grade. There will be Raptor Ridge to explore, Jurassic Discovery Zone where all things dinosaur are revealed, and Prehistoric Creation Station. Learn everything you've ever wanted to know about dinosaurs and maybe a little about Cub Scouts.

For more information, visit https://scoutingevent.com/315-117607 to register or just stop by SW Montana Church of Christ, 901 Evans Ave in Butte. Check-in begins at 8:45am. Campfire is at 3:10pm.

We'll have games, activities, and a trading post that accepts Scout Bucks. We can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow for a day of dinosaurs, adventure, and Cub Scouting! 🦖⚜️

Join us for Dino Discovery Day at Clark Park in Butte on August 8, 2026! Fossils, dinosaurs, games, crafts, outdoor fun, and Scouting adventures await

07/29/2026

A huge congratulations to Prickly Pear District Eagle Scout Trenton Atkinson on the completion of his outstanding Eagle Scout service project! We are incredibly proud to see Trenton recognized by KTVH for his dedication to restoring the historic York Cemetery and trail.

Eagle Scout projects are about more than completing a requirement—they are an opportunity for young leaders to identify a community need, organize volunteers, and leave a lasting impact. Trenton’s project preserves a piece of Montana’s history while creating a place that future generations can continue to visit and appreciate.

Thank you to KTVH and Evan Charney for highlighting Trenton’s accomplishment and the positive difference Scouting continues to make in our communities.

Congratulations, Trenton, on earning Scouting’s highest rank and for truly leaving your mark!

Trenton Atkinson led Scout Troop 214 through a weekend of hard work rebuilding the trail leading into York Cemetery, clearing overgrowth and helping restore dignity to a historic cemetery that had fallen into disrepair.

“Well, I just love history,” Trenton continued, “and York is an amazing town. We try to keep that historical aspect of it, just keeping the same as it's always been since 1866. Preserving it would just be a great project.”

Full story in the comments: